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A Genius Idea
A Genius Idea to catapult to the top
- Secondary 1
- Secondary 2
- Secondary 3
- Secondary 4
- Secondary 5
20–30 minutes
A challenge in which students try to hit a target with a catapult by experimenting with variables such as launch angle, pull-back angle, ball type, and the number of elastic bands used in the slingshot. Through this activity, they’ll explore simple machines, energy transformation, and the factors that influence projectile motion using an engineering-inspired scientific method.
Physical principles covered
- Simple machines (third-class levers)
- Elastic potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- The law of conservation of energy
- Motion of projectiles
- Forces (gravity, air friction)
Required materials
- Catapult
- Two elastic bands
- Two balls (e.g., ping-pong balls)
- Targets
- Elastic bands and extra balls for the teacher
Concepts from the Québec Education Program
Science and Technology – The technological world:
- Simple machines (levers)
- Transformation of energy
- Forces and motion
- The scientific method