How to Build a Catapult for Elementary Grades


How to Build a Catapult for Elementary Grades

Teaching elementary school-aged children how to build catapults is a simple, inexpensive and fun exercise that helps them to learn how elastic materials can store energy. A basic catapult made from an old newspaper and a plastic spoon is adequate at this stage. The catapult takes just minutes to build and the children can then spend time experimenting with it, firing marshmallow or paper projectiles from the bowl of the spoon. They will learn that pulling the spoon back further creates more energy to project their ammunition over longer distances.

Instructions

    1 Roll up the newspaper lengthwise. Roll the paper tightly and put masking tape around the middle to secure it.
    2 Place the middle of the rolled up newspaper over a rubber band with both sides of the band visible on either side of the newspaper cylinder. The band should be short enough that it has to be stretched to reach around the newspaper.
    3 Take both ends of the rubber band and pull them around the newspaper. Thread one end of the rubber band through the other end where they meet and hold onto this part of the band to keep it in place.
    4 Push the bottom end of the spoon through the part of the band that you are still holding and release it so that the base of the spoon is held in place against the newspaper. The bowl of the spoon should be facing upward.
    5 Place the newspaper on a table so that the plastic spoon can be bent well backward and when it is released it springs up with some force.
    6 Secure both ends of the newspaper to the table with masking tape.
    7 Fire your marshmallows or rolled-up pieces of paper from the bowl of the spoon, pulling the spoon back before each shot.


  • K-12 For Educators - How To Information eHow

    www.ehow.com Education K-12
    Don't just sit there scratching your head, find useful info on K-12 For Educators on eHow. Get essential tips and learn more about everything from How to Create ...
  • Digital Portfolio

    www.civiced.org/digitalPortfolio
    View an examplary Project Citizen portfolio created by a fifth grade class at W.J. Quarles Elementary School located along the Gulf Coast in Long Beach, Mississippi.
  • how to build a kids catapult - jimmythejock on HubPages

    jimmythejock.hubpages.com Arms and Weapons History
    HOW TO BUILD A CATAPULT . A catapult was a medieval rocket launcher it was used to hurl stones rocks and even tar covered rocks which had been set alight,they were ...
  • Elementary School Whole Building Design Guide

    www.wbdg.org/design/elementary.php
    Overview. Elementary School buildings are the setting for the first four to eight years of a child's formal education, a period of structured schooling that is ...
  • How to Build a Catapult for a School Project eHow

    www.ehow.com Hobbies, Games & Toys Toys Educational Toys
    Building a catapult for a school project is a fun way to explore history and physics. There are many different types of catapult you can make, from a plastic spoon ...
  • Elementary Matters: Common Core Curriculum Map Book Study--Second ...

    www.elementarymatters.com/2012/08/common-core-curriculum-map-book...
    Common Core Curriculum Map Book Study--Second Grade Unit 3: Building Bridges With Unlikely Friends
  • Elementary School Multiplication & Division Tutors Sylvan Learning

    tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/elementary_math_multiplication...
    When your child needs help with multiplication and division, Sylvan's elementary school math tutors can help. Find out how we can build the skills, habits and ...
  • Building a Catapult Resources For a School Project...Or Just for Fun!

    www.brighthubeducation.com Homework Help History Help
    Want to learn the basics of ballistics, gravity and mechanics? Why not try building a catapult or trebuchet? This project is a great way of helping your child learn ...

0 comments:

Post a Comment