Garage Physics: DIY Catapult Kit

Get ready for hands-on fun with the DIY Catapult Kit from Garage Physics! This exciting kit allows students to build their own working catapult, firing a ping pong ball over 6 metres. By constructing this ancient machine, students will not only learn about projectile motion but also discover the fundamental principles behind levers, force, and energy transfer. Whether used for science class, STEM clubs, or home experiments, this kit brings physics to life through practical, interactive learning.

Educational Benefits:

• Encourages engineering and physics exploration through practical construction.
• Demonstrates force, acceleration, and parabolic trajectories in projectile motion.
• Introduces students to lever mechanics and energy transfer.
• Supports cross-curricular learning, combining history with STEM.

Classroom Ideas:

• Challenge students to modify the catapult's rubber band tension to test different launch distances.
• Compare with other Garage Physics projectile devices, such as slingshots and trebuchets.
• Discuss the historical significance of catapults, including their role in ancient warfare.
• Conduct experiments measuring launch angles and velocity.

Specifications:

• Kit includes:
  • Base, sides, and lever arm
  • 8 rubber bands
  • 4 wooden screws
  • 3 dowels
  • 1 C-shaped screw hook
  • 1 ping pong ball
  • Instruction guide with assembly and experiment activities

Safety Information:

• This product should be used under adult supervision. Ensure all projectiles are aimed in safe directions.

Ages and Suitability:

• Recommended for ages 7+ years, suitable for primary and high school students.

Explore More:

• Compare the catapult's performance with the Slingshot Kit (EIS00014) and Trebuchet Kits (EIS00009 and EIS00015) to explore how different designs affect range and accuracy.