![]() They also explore geometric principles when determining the launch angle and trajectory of the projectile. Kids use mathematical concepts to measure and cut popsicle sticks accurately. Kids must consider factors like stability, tension in the rubber band, and the angle of launch to optimize the catapult’s performance. Kids explore the mechanical aspects of how levers work and how the components of the catapult interact to achieve a specific function.ĭesigning and building a functional catapult requires problem-solving skills which is the engineering component. Learn more about how a catapult works below.Ĭreating a popsicle stick catapult uses technology as it involves designing a simple machine. Use a heavier projectile instead of a mini marshmallow.These Popsicle stick catapults make a great STEM activity! Building a catapult involves understanding basic science concepts such as force, motion, and energy transfer.How does the length of the rubber band affect how far the mini marshmallows fly? How does the thickness of the rubber band affect how far the mini marshmallows fly? How does the length of the skewer (lever) affect the projectile distance? Shorten or lengthen the skewer the spoon is attached to.Therefore, the more you pull back, the farther the mini marshmallow will go. When the spoon is released and propels forward, the potential energy converts to kinetic energy due to its motion. The more you pull back the spoon, the more potential energy is stored. You can hand your kids rubber bands and ask them to stretch it and explain how the pulling sensation they feel is potential energy. You store energy in the rubber band when you stretch it. ![]() The marshmallow catapult stores potential energy until you release the spoon. You can read about the scientific explanations and learn how to make different popsicle stick catapults here.įor younger kids, I like to focus on explaining potential and kinetic energy. Just like the popsicle stick catapult, the marshmallow catapult is a good demonstration of Newton’s Laws of Motion. For older kids, you can also go into how to determine the angles and height of the tetrahedron. You can introduce or review the vocabularies base, corner, edge, vertex, and even talk about the faces of the tetrahedron. This marshmallow catapult is a great opportunity to teach your kid about triangles and tetrahedrons. You can also stiffen up the marshmallows before constructing the catapult by leaving them out of the bag. Leaving the catapult overnight should do the trick. After all, it’s being held together by soft, fluffy marshmallows! For younger kids, I recommend waiting to play with the catapult until the marshmallows stiffen up. One thing you might notice is that you need to be gentle with the marshmallow catapult. Place a mini marshmallow on the spoon, pull back the spoon, and launch the marshmallow in the air!.Feed the spoon through the rubber band and insert the other end of the skewer stick into one of the marshmallows of the base.Place the rubber band over the tip of the tetrahedron so that it loops around all 3 skewers.Tape a skewer stick to the back of the plastic spoon.From a tetrahedron by using one more marshmallow as the vertex (tip) of the tetrahedron and 3 more skewers as the lateral edges.This will be the base of your tetrahedron. Form a triangle with the marshmallows as the corners and skewer sticks as the edges.Anything that fits on the spoon will do as the projectile.) Mini marshmallows (or Cheerios or pom poms.How to Build a Marshmallow Catapult Materials: ![]() After all, all we have been doing with marshmallows is eating them after heating them in the microwave or toasting them in the oven But the marshmallow catapult really works! And you can build it within a matter of minutes. However, have you ever built a catapult out of marshmallows that can also launch marshmallows? You may have made catapults out of popsicle sticks before that can launch mini marshmallows in the air.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |