Science Fair Project - Catapult
You will need:
2 pencils
craft (popsicle) sticks - about 40
glue
scissors
ruler
rubber bands
Science Fair Journal
Science Fair Report
display board
A catapult is a great way to see a lever -a type of simple machine-
in action. Levers make it possible to move an object a greater
distance using less effort. Although there are different types of
levers, they all work by the same principle. The lever, a long bar,
pivots on a fulcrum when an input force is applied. This creates
an output force. This project will examine the use of two different
input forces and the output forces they produce.
It is important to learn everything you can about your topic. This
will help you to understand your experiment, form an educated
hypothesis, and modify the experiment if necessary. Use the
internet, library, or other reference sources to research the
following topics: catapults, levers, and potential energy
(gravitational and elastic). In your Science Fair Journal, list all
your sources, facts that you have learned, and ideas that you
might have for modifying your experiment.
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
Here is an outline of the sample experiment. Rewrite it using
your own modifications.
• Build a catapult
• Launch the catapult using gravitational potential energy
(pushing down the lever with your hand); measure the
distance of the launch and record the results.
• Launch the catapult using elastic potential energy (a rubber
band); measure the distance of the launch and record the
results.
• Use the data collected to form a conclusion about the effect of
different input forces on a catapult.
What do you expect to happen in your experiment?
In your Science Fair Journal, write your topic question - “How do
different input forces affect a catapult?” - and your hypothesis.
You will need:
craft (popsicle sticks) - about 40 SAFETY FIRST!
2 pencils
Use caution when cutting
glue
scissors craft sticks with scissors.
ruler Only do this with adult
rubber bands supervision!
*As you build your catapult and perform your experiment, be
sure to list all the materials you use in your Science Fair Journal.
Also, make notes in your Journal of any problems you had,
modifications you made, and other observations.
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
Step 1:
Use 5 sticks to build this structure.
Stick 1 should be cut off 3/4” from one end. Place sticks 2 and 3
end to end. Glue the rounded end of Stick 1 to the joint of 2 and
3. Glue Sticks 4 and 5 so that the top ends are flush with the flat
end of Stick 1 and the bottom ends are flush with the bottom
edge of Sticks 2 and 3. Stick 4 should go under Stick 1, and Stick
5 should go over Stick 1. Build 2 of these structures - they will be
the upright sides of your
catapult. Allow glue
about 5 minutes to dry.
4 1 5
2 3
Step 2:
Glue stick 6 on the left side of stick 1, on top of sticks 4 and 2.
Glue stick 7 to the right of stick 1, under stick 5 and on top of
stick 3. Cut stick 8 to a length of 1 1/4”, square on both ends.
Glue stick 8 to sticks 6 and 7, flush along the top of the sticks.
Repeat this step on the other side structure.
6
1
4 5
7
2 3
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
Step 3:
After glue has dried,
turn the side structure
over. Place stick 9 on
top of stick 3 - the
ends should be even, DETAIL ledge
but stick 9 should be
about 1/8” higher from the bottom edge of stick 3. This should
create a ledge the thickness of a stick. Glue stick 9 in place.
Repeat this for stick 10,
on top of stick 2. Center
stick 11 over sticks 1, 6
and 7. Stick 11 should
set right against sticks 2
and 3, behind sticks 9
and 10. Glue stick 11 in
place. Repeat this step 12
on the other side 11
structure. 9 10
3 2
Step 4:
On the first side structure, place stick 12 so that the left end
touches stick 11 and the right end is 1/2” above stick 11. On the
second side structure, repeat
this step in reverse, so that the
right side of stick 12 touches
12
stick 11, and the left side of stick
1/2”
12 is 1/2” above stick 11. This
will make the two side structures 11
mirror images of each other.
Allow glue to dry for about 5
minutes.
DETAIL
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
Step 5:
You will need 5 sticks that are
each 2 1/4” long. They should
be cut straight across on each
end. Use these 5 sticks to
attach the two side structures
together. Space the 5 sticks
evenly along the bottom of the
first side structure, gluing
them in place under the ledge
shown in step 3. Then attach
the second side structure by
gluing the 5 sticks under that
ledge.
Step 6:
Next, you will build the lever part of the catapult. Cut the rounded
ends off a stick, so that each end is squared - this is stick A. Cut
another stick (B) to a length of 2 1/4”. Glue them to two whole
sticks (C and D) as shown. Allow glue to dry for about 5 minutes.
C
B A
D
Step 7:
Cut the rounded ends of another stick (E), leaving the ends
square. Cut stick F to a length of 2”. Turn over the lever that you
built in step 6. Glue stick E to sticks C and D, exactly opposite
from stick A. The ends of sticks A and E should line up evenly.
Glue stick F to sticks C and D, exactly opposite of stick B. The
rounded ends of sticks B and F should line up evenly, and there
should be a 1/4” gap between sticks E and F (see photo on next
page).
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
C
B A
D
D
F E
C
G
Step 8:
Cut the end of another stick (G). Place the square end of stick G
between sticks A and E. Cut stick G off even with sticks A and E,
and glue in place.
Step 9:
Cut 5 pieces, each 1/2” long. Glue these pieces to sticks A, E,
and G as shown. This makes a bucket to hold the projectile. Be
sure the bucket stick ends are even across the bottom of the
lever. Remember, the bottom of the lever has a gap between
sticks E and F.
Step 10:
Cut the erasers off both pencils that will be used on the catapult.
Use the erasers for projectiles in your experiment.
Note:
The rubber bands will place a lot of tension on your catapult.
Allow glue to dry overnight before proceeding. If something does
break, glue it back using more glue, and try a longer or thinner
rubber band that will create less tension.
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
Step 11:
Lay the rubber band across the top of the lever, so that each end
hangs down beneath the lever and forms a loop on each side of
the bottom gap. Hold the lever between the holes at the top of
each side structure. Have a helper insert the pencil through the
hole on one side, through the rubber band loops, and through
the hole on the other side structure. The rubber band should hold
the pencil securely in place in the gap on the bottom of the lever.
This pencil serves as the
fulcrum (pivot point) of
your lever.
Step 12:
Place the other pencil
through the holes
between sticks 11 and 12
(from step 3). Halfway
through, place a rubber
band around the pencil.
Step 13:
To launch the catapult with the rubber band input force: Hold the
bucket end of the lever down. Take the free end of the rubber
band from step 12 and place it in the groove at the end of the
lever opposite the bucket. Load the projectile. Release the
bucket to launch. This launch is an example of elastic potential
energy as an input force.
Step 14:
To launch the catapult without the rubber band, skip step 13.
Make sure the bucket end of the lever is down. Load the
projectile. Launch by tapping downward with your finger on the
upper end of the lever. This launch is an example of gravitational
potential energy as an input force.
© 2007 abcteach.com
Science Fair Project - Catapult
• Test your catapult to be sure it operates correctly. Make any
necessary repairs or modifications.
• SAFETY FIRST: Give yourself plenty of room for the projectile
to fly and land in a clear area. Do not shoot a projectile if
anyone is in front of the catapult. Use only rubber eraser
projectiles.
• Launch your catapult using elastic potential energy. Use a
tape measure or ruler to measure the distance from the
catapult to where the projectile landed. Record your data in
your Science Fair Journal.
• Launch your catapult using gravitational potential energy. Use
a tape measure or ruler to measure the distance from the
catapult to where the projectile landed. Record your data in
your Science Fair Journal.
• Repeat the experiment several times to validate your findings.
• Based on your data, write a conclusion that either supports or
disputes your hypothesis.
Use the Science Fair Report printout to write a final report on
your project.
Use a Display Board to show off your hard work. Use photos,
graphs, or drawings to give visual interest to the display. Be sure
to include the following: title, question, hypothesis, research facts
and sources, experiment description, data, and conclusion.
Display your catapult in front of the display board.
© 2007 abcteach.com
