Catapult Integrated Project Overview

Objective: To learn about force, motion, and simple machines through research, exploration, and engineering.
Students will create a catapult using everyday materials. In addition to the design of the catapult, students will
research catapults, become knowledgeable about the science behind their designs, maintain an engineering
design log as they work through the engineering process, create a diagram of their design, test the catapult and
record the data, and ultimately, they will present their findings and participate in a culminating test of their
design.
Problem: Design a catapult using everyday materials that will launch either a marshmallow or a ping pong ball
the furthest possible distance. Your catapult must be able to launch your object a distance of at least one meter.
All links and information related to this project can be found on my website:
http://braswellsbunch.weebly.com/
Below is an overview of the project. Detailed explanations of each step are provided in the engineering design log.
Step one: Review and understand the problem.
Step two: Research catapults. Complete the catapult research information sheet.
Step three: Research force, motion, and simple machines. Record finds and answer guiding questions provided
in the engineering design log.
Step four: Catapults are a prominent part of the game Angry Birds. Investigate catapults by playing Angry
Birds. Answer the guiding questions in the engineering design log. Develop two possible solutions. Provide
sketches of both designs. Label all important parts of your sketches so that the design is clear to others.
Step five: Select the best possible solution. Record the comparison of your designs in the engineering design
log. Analyze your comparison and decide on which design you will use for the creation of your catapult.
Step six: Build your design. Record your process in your engineering design log.
Step seven: Test and evaluate your design. Answer the guiding questions in your engineering design log.
Collect your data and use a line plot to represent your data.
Step eight: Redesign, modify, and complete your design. Write a description of your catapult. Explain the
science behind your design using scientific vocabulary and principles.
Step nine: Present your findings.
Step ten: Compete in the class catapult competition.
Important Dates:

February 11th Research due

February 20th Possible solutions due
February 25th Best possible solution due
March 9th Final projects due
March 9th 12th Presentations
March 13th Final launch test

Grading:
Students will earn grades in science, math, reading, and writing for this project. Because this is a crosscurricular assignment, it is essential that students complete every component of this assignment.
Each component will be graded using the following rubric:
Exceeds (100)
The student
demonstrates
mastery and
meaningful
application of the
standards.

Meets (89)
The student
demonstrates
significant
understanding and
adequate application
of the standards.

Progressing (79)

Does Not Meet (69)

Incomplete (0)

The student
demonstrates some
understanding and
limited application of
the standards.

The student does not

demonstrate
understanding and/or
does not demonstrate
application of the
standards.

The assignment has

not been completed
or the criteria of the
assignment have not
been met.

The important dates will serve as checkpoints in order to make the project more manageable and allow me to
check in on student progress along the way. At each checkpoint, I will provide feedback. Students will be
responsible for incorporating my feedback into their final projects. Students will earn classwork and
participation grades for completion of work at the checkpoints 100 for completion and 0 for incomplete or
failure to submit work. Students will earn test/project grades upon submission of the final project.
WORK NOT SUBMITTED BY THE DUE DATE WILL EARN A ZERO. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT. NO EXCEPTIONS; NO EXTENSIONS.*
*If a student is absent on a checkpoint date or on the due date, he or she must submit work on the next day
in attendance; otherwise, he or she will not receive credit. It is your childs responsibility to submit the
work if he or she is tardy or absent.