"Catapult Craze: Engineering Launch Adventure!"

9th, 10th Grades

Project
3 weeks

"Catapult Craze: Engineering Launch Adventure!"

BJ 32482

Purpose

Students will engage in a hands-on project to design and construct a functional catapult using plywood, adhering to specific constraints and incorporating power tool safety. They will utilize computer-aided design tools to create detailed models and produce an instruction manual, exploring the intersection of modern technology with traditional engineering methods. The project will provide opportunities to apply Newton's Laws of Motion, fostering a deeper understanding of these fundamental principles and their practical applications. By working collaboratively, students will develop problem-solving skills and gain insights into the iterative nature of engineering design, all while aiming to achieve precise projectile launches. Additionally, students will allocate time for testing their catapults, emphasizing accurate measurement and data collection to refine their designs and improve performance.

Learning goals

Students will design and construct a functional catapult from plywood, adhering to specific constraints and applying principles of engineering design and physics, including Newton's Laws of Motion. They will utilize computer-aided design tools to create detailed models and an instruction manual, integrating these methods with traditional engineering techniques. Throughout the project, students will develop skills in measurement, power tool safety, and lab safety, ensuring accurate data collection and adherence to safety protocols. Students will conduct thorough testing of their catapults, emphasizing precise measurement techniques to evaluate performance and make necessary adjustments.

Standards

NGSS - HS-PS2-1: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and construct a functional catapult using plywood, adhering to specific constraints and incorporating power tool safety practices. They will produce detailed CAD models and physical prototypes, iteratively testing and refining their designs to achieve precise projectile targeting, with an emphasis on measurement accuracy during testing sessions. An instruction manual will be created using the CAD drawings to document the design and construction process. Throughout the project, students will maintain a digital engineering journal, highlighting how Newton's Laws of Motion influence their catapult's performance. The final product will be a presentation showcasing their catapult's accuracy, design evolution, and the integration of physics principles.

Launch

Begin the project with an engaging demonstration of a working catapult launching a projectile towards a target, sparking curiosity and excitement. Following the demonstration, facilitate a discussion where students brainstorm and share initial ideas on how the catapult functions, focusing on engineering design and physics principles. Introduce the project challenge and essential questions, encouraging students to consider how they will use computer-aided design and Newton's Laws of Motion in their own catapult designs. Emphasize the importance of power tool safety and provide a brief overview of the constraints they must adhere to when constructing their catapults from plywood. Allocate time for initial testing and emphasize precise measurement techniques during these trials to ensure accurate data collection.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their catapult designs in a "Launch Day" event, where they will demonstrate their projects to peers, teachers, and family members. Each team will present their design process, highlighting how computer-aided design and engineering principles were applied, and display their instruction manuals created from CAD drawings. They will conduct live demonstrations, aiming to hit specific targets to illustrate the practical application of Newton's Laws of Motion, while emphasizing precise measurement and data collection during testing. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the students, ask questions, and learn about the challenges and successes encountered during the project. This exhibition will culminate in a reflection session where students discuss what they learned and how they might further refine their designs.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction - Present the 'Catapult Kickoff Challenge' and discuss the essential questions, focusing on engineering design and physics principles as students brainstorm initial ideas (25 min) Safety and Measurement Training - Conduct an interactive lab safety session with demonstrations on using measurement tools accurately and safely (30 min) Kickoff Challenge - Engage students in building a simple catapult using everyday materials, encouraging problem-solving and creativity (30 min)	Engineering Design Principles - Facilitate a discussion on key engineering concepts relevant to catapult construction, including forces and materials (20 min) Introduction to CAD - Conduct a tutorial on computer-aided design software, guiding students in creating basic digital models (35 min) CAD Practice - Allow students time to explore CAD tools and begin designing their catapult models, with support from the instructor (30 min)	Exploring Newton's Laws - Discuss Newton's Laws of Motion and their application in catapult design, including real-world examples (30 min) Hands-On Experimentation - Have students test simple catapults, measuring distance and accuracy to gather data and understand motion principles (25 min) Data Analysis Discussion - Facilitate a conversation about the data collected and its implications for improving catapult design (30 min)	Design Iteration - Guide students in reviewing their initial CAD models based on testing results and making necessary adjustments (30 min) Prototyping - Begin constructing physical prototypes of catapult designs, focusing on precise measurement and safety (35 min) Peer Feedback - Organize a session where students share their prototypes and receive feedback on design and functionality (20 min)	Advanced CAD Techniques - Introduce advanced features in CAD to enhance catapult designs, emphasizing iterative improvement (30 min) Prototype Testing - Conduct a testing session where students evaluate their prototypes, collect data, and refine designs based on performance (35 min) Reflection and Planning - Have students journal their experiences and plan next steps, focusing on integrating feedback and data analysis (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Catapult Kickoff Challenge Prototype: A simple catapult made from everyday materials demonstrating basic engineering concepts and creativity. 2. Lab Safety Certification: Completion of a safety training session with a signed acknowledgment form. 3. Initial CAD Design: A basic digital model of the catapult using computer-aided design software.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for the Catapult Kickoff Challenge: rubber bands, popsicle sticks, plastic spoons, and any other simple materials. 2. Prepare lab safety training materials: safety goggles, measurement tools, and interactive safety demonstration resources. 3. Set up computers with CAD software and prepare a tutorial session for students to learn the basics of digital modeling. 4. Create a presentation and discussion guide to introduce the project, essential questions, and engineering concepts related to catapults.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	CAD Model Refinement - Students refine their computer-aided design (CAD) models based on feedback from the previous week's peer review, focusing on precise measurements and engineering principles (30 min) Physical Prototype Construction - Using refined CAD models, students begin constructing their catapult prototypes with plywood, ensuring adherence to power tool safety protocols (55 min)	Prototype Construction Continuation - Students continue building their catapult prototypes, paying close attention to accurate assembly as per the CAD drawings (40 min) Basic Testing and Data Collection - Students conduct initial tests of their catapult prototypes to gather data on launch angles and distances, emphasizing the importance of precise measurement (45 min)	Data Analysis and Problem Solving - Students analyze the data collected from initial tests, identify discrepancies, and brainstorm solutions to improve performance based on Newton's Laws of Motion (45 min) Design Revision Session - Guided by test results and analysis, students revise their CAD models and physical prototypes to enhance accuracy and efficiency (40 min)	Advanced Testing and Iteration - Students conduct further tests on their revised prototypes, focusing on achieving consistent launch results and refining design iteratively (50 min) Measurement Accuracy Workshop - Conduct a workshop on advanced measurement tools and techniques, reinforcing the importance of precision in data collection during testing (35 min)	Reflection and Journal Entry - Students write reflective journal entries detailing the challenges encountered and solutions implemented during the testing and revision phases, focusing on the integration of CAD and traditional engineering methods (30 min) Final Design Review and Feedback - Students present their updated catapult designs and prototypes to peers and instructors for final feedback, preparing for next week's competition and exhibition (55 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed CAD models incorporating feedback from Week 1. 2. Initial prototypes of catapults constructed. 3. Data set from testing sessions, including measurements of distance and accuracy. 4. Reflective journal entry analyzing test results and explaining how Newton's Laws of Motion were applied.
Preparation	1. Ensure CAD software is accessible to all students and provide any necessary tutorials or support. 2. Prepare workshop with necessary materials: plywood, rubber bands, measuring tapes, protractors, and safety gear. 3. Organize a lab safety refresher, focusing on power tool safety and the correct use of measurement tools. 4. Develop a data recording sheet for students to use during testing, emphasizing accuracy and consistency in data collection.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Finalizing CAD Models - Guide students in refining their CAD models, ensuring designs meet project constraints and engineering principles (30 min) Prototype Construction - Allow students time to complete building their physical catapult prototypes, emphasizing precision and safety (35 min) Team Collaboration - Facilitate a collaborative session where teams discuss their design challenges and solutions, preparing for testing (20 min)	Testing Preparation - Instruct students on setting up testing environments, focusing on measurement accuracy and data collection techniques (25 min) Initial Testing Session - Conduct trials of catapult prototypes, gathering data on launch distance and accuracy (30 min) Data Analysis - Lead a discussion on analyzing test results, identifying trends and areas for improvement (30 min)	Design Revision - Guide students in revising their designs based on test data, using CAD tools to make necessary adjustments (30 min) Prototype Modifications - Assist students in implementing changes to their physical prototypes, ensuring alignment with revised CAD models (35 min) Peer Review - Organize a session for students to present updated designs and receive feedback, focusing on performance enhancement (20 min)	Advanced Testing - Conduct a comprehensive testing session, emphasizing precise measurement techniques and repeated trials for reliability (40 min) Reflective Journaling - Have students write journal entries on their design evolution, challenges faced, and solutions implemented (20 min) Preparation for Exhibition - Begin organizing materials and presentations for the final exhibition, ensuring clarity of design and process (25 min)	Exhibition Setup - Assist students in setting up their catapult displays and finalizing presentation details for the 'Launch Day' event (30 min) Launch Day Event - Facilitate the exhibition where students demonstrate their catapults, aiming to hit designated targets and showcasing design processes (40 min) Final Reflection - Lead a reflection session discussing learning outcomes, design successes, and potential future improvements (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed catapult construction and refined design based on testing data. 2. Comprehensive testing data report analyzing projectile distance and accuracy. 3. Instruction manual created using CAD drawings, documenting the design and construction process. 4. Presentation prepared for the 'Launch Day' exhibition, highlighting design evolution and physics integration.
Preparation	1. Ensure availability of STEM measurement tools for accurate data collection during testing. 2. Prepare CAD software and computers for design iteration and documentation. 3. Organize materials for the 'Launch Day' exhibition, including presentation equipment and display space. 4. Review lab safety protocols and power tool usage guidelines with students before final construction sessions. 5. Coordinate invitation and logistics for 'Launch Day' exhibition attendees, ensuring a smooth event setup.