You can compare on two criteria: which designs launch the object the farthest and which launch it the most accurately (i.e. Maybe rulers? Rubber band them together at one end, and keep using your bundle of craft sticks as a fulcrum.Ĭontinue to experiment… Here’s a very similar catapult built from a couple of wooden yardsticks, a piece of cork (used as fulcrum to separate the two sticks – you could use your stack of popsicle sticks) and some tape (could use rubber bands).Īs you build a variety of catapults, test them. Use longer bars to build the catapult than popsicle sticks. Is the catapult stronger with a taller fulcrum and more pressure on the rubber bands that bind the launch sticks together? What if you use 8 sticks in your bundled fulcrum? Now bundle together 5 craft sticks to use as your fulcrum – this is what is shown in the picture above, and you can also find directions at Now launch items from the spoon – your launch arm is longer, and you added the springiness of the spoon – does this increase the strength of the launch (i.e. Slide your pencil in between the sticks, as before (or use two or three popsicle sticks rubber-banded together). (Here’s a picture from to show you where to fasten it.) Use a rubber band to attach a plastic spoon on one. The Kids at work Catapult is a part of this innovative range will. You’ve already got your two popsicle sticks banded together. A new assortment of nifty DIY ideas are brought to life with the latest range from Corvus. If the coin / pompom keeps sliding off the end of the bar, you can glue a lid to the end of the bar so you have a “bucket” to put your coin / pompom into.Īfter they’ve had a good time with this one, you can take this simple design to the next level by creating a spoon catapult. Put your pompon (or coin) on the raised end, then use your finger to press down and release. Then slide a pencil (or three craft sticks bundled together) between the sticks until it pushes up against the rubber band. Now, take two popsicle sticks: Use a rubber band to fasten them together at one end. But, they’ll soon discover that this is a weak catapult – we can get a lot better launch by evolving it. Like try a large spoon balanced over a rolling pin, or a ruler balanced over a marker. You can also play with this idea – use a bigger fulcrum – use a longer lever. This is an easy depiction of the simple machine concept of levers (learn more about Levers here.) Hit the high end of the stick, the object launches. Put an object (your load) onto the end that’s laying on the table. pompom or mini marshmallow or coins)įirst, take a popsicle stick (the bar of your lever), balance it over a pencil (your fulcrum). Supplies needed: pencil, popsicle / craft sticks, rubber bands, a plastic spoon, an object to launch (e.g. I want to present a simple series of catapults that show the evolution of an idea. There are LOTS of ideas online for how to build catapults. Catapults are a huge hit with kids… being able to launch things into the air and across the room is always exciting!
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