Catapult

by iTeachmakerbus in Living > Education

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Catapult

Catapult - MakerEd at Home
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A catapult is a type of lever that uses a fulcrum to launch a projectile. There are many types of levers but in order to launch something, the catapult needs a fulcrum. A fulcrum is a pivot point or the point on which the lever turns to lift something. In this instance, the more force applied to the fulcrum, the further an object will travel.

Supplies

  • 2 popsicle sticks
  • 2 rubber bands
  • Wedge material (paper, cork, plastic, etc)
  • Holder (bottle cap, cardboard, aluminum foil, etc.)

Combine

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Use the rubber bands to tightly bind 2 popsicle sticks at one end.

Wedge

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Place a wedge material as close as you can in between popsicle sticks to the rubber band end. Your wedge material can be a piece of paper, a piece of plastic, or a piece of rubber. Experiment with different materials!

Holder

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Create and attach your holder to the non- rubber band end. Your holder can be made a bottle cap, cardboard, or plastic.

Launch!

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Place a projectile in your holder, press down and release!