Projectile Physics and Catapult Science

By Amy Cowen on January 22, 2016 2:00 PM

Explore the physics behind a catapult with a simple DIY catapult at home.

Simple Catapult Science / Weekly Family STEM Experiment with Energy and Physics

Catapults have been used throughout history as a way to launch something from point A to point B, sometimes over castle walls and sometimes into things. Experimenting with a catapult and launching objects at a target can be fun for families or classes, and a catapult activity invites discussion of both the physics and math at work in the way a catapult operates and in how accurate one's aim may be.

In this week's family-friendly STEM activity, students build and experiment with a very simple catapult made from wooden sticks and rubber bands. The catapult is easy to assemble, but this simple catapult helps students see how energy can be stored, transferred, and converted. As they use the catapult to launch lightweight cotton balls, students are encouraged to explore the variables that come into play and to explore the physics of projectiles. What controls how far the object flies? Can you hit your target? What is the best combination of catapult design and launch angle to make the cotton ball fly farthest?

The following Science Buddies activity has all the information you need to do this science activity with your students as a fun classroom activity or at home: Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult.

(With a bit of creative thinking, it's easy to turn this science activity into a game, too!)