Ping Pong Catapult
Grade Range
6th-8th
Group Size
2-4 students
Active Time
60 minutes
Total Time
60 minutes
Area of Science
Physics
Key Concepts
Potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy
Learning Objectives
- Understand what kinetic and potential energy are, and how one can be converted to the other.
- Design and conduct an experiment to measure how changing one variable affects another.
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
OverviewLearn about potential and kinetic energy the fun way—by launching ping pong balls across the classroom with a catapult!NGSS AlignmentThis lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:
Materials![]()
Disclaimer: Science Buddies participates in affiliate programs with Home Science Tools, Amazon.com, Carolina Biological, and Jameco Electronics. Proceeds from the affiliate programs help support Science Buddies, a 501(c)(3) public charity, and keep our resources free for everyone. Our top priority is student learning. If you have any comments (positive or negative) related to purchases you've made for science projects from recommendations on our site, please let us know. Write to us at scibuddy@sciencebuddies.org. Reviews |
Grade Range
6th-8th
Group Size
2-4 students
Active Time
60 minutes
Total Time
60 minutes
Area of Science
Physics
Key Concepts
Potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
Learning Objectives
|
Explore Our Science Videos
Toy Sailboat with Keel
|
4 Easy Robot Science Projects for Kids
|
DIY Toy Sailboat
|