So I showed them two more boxes of regular size craft sticks and mini craft sticks, and told them there were enough mini craft sticks for each group to have ten, and enough regular sized sticks for each group to have a handful.ħ. I also told them that they could try to make their catapult even better by using more sticks, but that they would have to be smaller sticks, since that is all I had. They could make their catapult in any way they liked, but the goal was to make a pompom go as far as possible.Ħ. Then I told them that they would each get a bag with eight jumbo craft sticks (one with a lid already hot-glued on,) and four different sizes of pompoms. I showed them how to make their own catapult, step by step.ĥ. I explained that the real name of my Punkin' Chunker was a catapult, and people used to use them long ago for self-defense.Ĥ. Then I demonstrated how my own little mini "Punkin' Chunker" worked, and of course when they saw it, they all just went BONKERS! (The first thing they wanted to know was if they got to KEEP the one they made, and I told them yes.)ģ. I first showed them my working prototype and explained that one holiday tradition we have here in the United States is having "Punkin' Chunkin" contests in which people make different kinds of catapults and see how far they can make their pumpkins fly! (I looked for a good YouTube video example, but really didn't find a good one!)Ģ. I'm sure that there are many ways to give it, but this is how I approached it, step by step.ġ. Get a class list on a clipboard ready, so that you can have one of the older children write down the length each Punkin flew. The reason why there were two rectangles was because that way, we could have two teams of kids launching the Punkins at the same time.Ħ. The fifth grade buddies did it! They drew two rectangles on either side of a white line on the playground, and then measured off ten feet in one foot increments. On the day of the lesson, set up a measuring station somewhere (ours was outside on the playground. Our strips were about 18-24 inches long each.ĥ. On the day of the lesson, get either a child helper or a volunteer to tear off lots of long strips of masking tape and put them along a counter top so that they are ready. (Can't afford pompoms? Marshmallows will also work- but the mini ones will hit the ceiling if you launch them inside!)Ĥ. I put in four different sizes of pompoms to let the children experiment and see which ones would fly the farthest. Make a zip baggie for each child with seven jumbo craft sticks in it, plus one of the sticks with the lids glued on.ģ. Hot glue a water bottle lid to one jumbo craft stick per child.Ģ. Need to pay with invoice? Contact us here.1. Video links provided for instructions on building different versions. Materials: This challenge can be completed with common materials such as craft sticks, rubber bands, ping pong balls, newspapers, cans, etc. Math connection problems including angles, ratios, and averages, and graphing Student recording sheet for each station: accuracy, power (distance), and knocking over a tower STEM Career Connection: Mechanical Engineering & Material Engineer Teachers guide with links to resources and photosĮditable instruction teacher slides with videos, science background, trivia, and design challenge steps to support classroom or distance learning instructionĮditable version for Google Slides, Flipgrid, and printed STEM journal Included are follow-up math problems for enhanced learning including angles, ratios, average, and graphing! One of my favorite STEM activities! Each team will then test at three stations: Distance, Accuracy, and Power. This STEM catapult challenge involves engineering, geometry, ratios, critical thinking, and teamwork in an engaging fall-themed activity your students will love! Using the engineering design process along with math skills, teams of students will build two catapult designs from common materials. Looking for a pumpkin chunkin’ catapult challenge? Look no further with this fall or Halloween, Thanksgiving, or fall themed STEM catapult activity!Ĭlick to read more on the Vivify Catapult Challenge ** Note: This activity is the same as our STEM catapult challenge product, only centered around a fall pumpkin theme**
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |