Physics Fun Catapult Lab High School Science STEM

Can't get enough of the siege weapons labs? Here is the best one on TPT!

Classroom Tested for many years.

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The STEM aspect of this activity can be highlighted by making predictions. Which object will fly the farthest? Which angle works the best? Keep a record of your results.

Using catapults to test physics The main objective of this lesson is to collect, organize, and analyze data.

The popsicle stick catapult is a classic science class activity for a reason. It’s so simple to build, and it’s so much fun to test out!

NGSS:

MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-3

It’s fun to make a game of it! Keep score and see how many objects each person can catapult into a cup.

There are two different Capulets to make. The first one I recommend for the classroom and the second one is perfect for after school or for a demonstration.

Materials

Lab 1

8 Popsicle sticks

3 Elastics/rubber bands (THICKER, SUCH AS SIZE #64)

1 Plastic spoon

Projectiles/firing power Objects with a bit of weight to them, like a ball of tin foil, are the perfect projectile. But you can send any object flying with these catapults (within reason!!), which makes them so much fun.

Lab 2

PVC Cement

Small pumpkins tennis balls or apples

Bandsaw or simple coping saw

Drill

14 feet of One-inch PVC pipe

3 Inch bolt

Nut

Heavy duty rubber band or a couple of feet of bungee cord

The basket is a small (15oz) butter tub. If you don’t have a disposable tub, you can cut the bottom off a milk container

Included

1. Brief history

2. Coloring pages

3. Step-by-step directions with photographs

4. Lab questions

Another lesson you may like

Thermodynamic Bird lab High school chemistry and physics by The Lesson Pony (teacherspayteachers.com)

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