DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE : KOTA BHARU
THEME :Distance Measurement
:ST 2.2.2 Membandingkan berat objek {lebih
berat,lebih ringan}
: ST 7.4.1 Membilang sepuluh sepuluh
: BI 1.3.4 Participate in talk about familiar activities
and experiences.
TITLE : CATAPULT STEM PROJECT {GENIUS’S STAR}
STUDENT’S NAME : AMRINA RASYADA BINTI MOHAMAD ZHAFRI
STUDENT’S NAME : NUR HANA FAQIHAH BINTI ABD HALIM
A-SYNOPSIS
What is a Catapult?
A catapult is an ancient weapon or a ballistic device used mainly to launch stones,
spears, and projectiles to a greater distance without the help of explosives. It is in
use since ancient times and proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms in
military during war.
B- INFORMATION COLLECTION
Making a Catapult is a classic building activity and fun science project for kids This
activity doesn’t need you to run behind the fancy stores since it requires only few
commonly used household things (kids are familiar with).
The preschoolers need some guidance and support, to begin with, the projectiles as
well as to measure the distance and objects. Instruct them to make a mark with chalk
on the floor every time the projectile reaches to know the longest distance the
catapult travels. Explain to them the distance varies every time even though it is the
same catapult and same kid does it.
However, preschoolers will be eager to measure the distance on their own. You can
even teach them to make a table and draw a graph with many readings. Don’t
spoon-feed them but ask them to find a way to measure the distance. You will be
surprised to see the brainpower of your kids.
C-PROJECT METHOD
Step-1: Create a base
The first step is to create base but in different base.
Take 5 Popsicle sticks and stack them together on top of each other. Be sure to
stack them neatly. You can use the tighter rubber band to avoid from a measurement
movement.
Step-2: Create an arm
Take another two Popsicle sticks and stack them on top of each other (as we
did in the first step). Secure them at one end with the help of rubber band.You are
done with creating arm. Here the simple trick is just bend the other free end towards
you (means outwards) thus creating an arm.
Step-3: Attach the base to the arm
Take the arm base and pull one of the free end of the stacked Popsicle base
towards you resulting in a ‘V’ shape format. Now place the main base (made of 5
stacked Popsicles) in between the ‘V’ shape of the arm. Make sure you place the
main base one half inch away from the end that tied with rubber band.
Wrap a rubber band around the arm and the base in order to secure the arm
to the base.
Step-4: Attach plastic spoon
Now create a plastic spoon for the ammunition to launch. Attach a plastic
spoon to the free end of the arm of the mini catapult that serves as a basket for
projectiles (marshmallows, ping pong ball, cotton balls) to launch.
Your catapult is ready to launch your tiny projectiles. It is very easy to
assemble catapult using Popsicle sticks and rubber bands. You can try using simple
plastic spoons attaching to the free end of the Popsicle stick and make use it as an
ammunition basket. Use rubber bands to fix the spoons to the Popsicle stick
D-MATERIALS
Making a Catapult using Popsicle sticks and plastic spoon
Items needed to build a catapult
Building a mini catapult with Popsicle sticks require very few items or supplies.
Popsicle sticks
Rubber bands
Spoon
Light objects like mashmallow to launch
Heavy objects like a wooden toy to launch
E-IMPACT
The catapult is a fun way to learn about physics. Why are catapults able to
launch objects so far? When you pull back on the popsicle stick, the potential energy
gets stored up. When released, the potential energy turns into kinetic energy! Kinetic
energy is the energy an object has due to its motion. The gravity eventually pulls the
object that was launched back to the ground.
The experiment to observe how far the projectiles with different launch angles
and observe can make the kid be able to measure and record the distances to
compare the result. The kids can investigate how changing the tension of the rubber
bands. Measure and record the distances to compare the results.
Kids can create a target on a piece of paper or board and assign point values
to different sections. They will came with this idea on their own and challenged with
their siblings.
Learning is a fun adventure when combined with hands-on activities like
building a popsicle stick catapult. So let your creativity soar and have fun
experimenting!
