History Students Go the Distance

Keeping students engaged in classes and lessons is always a difficult task that many teachers may struggle with, but it seems that Mr. Christopher Bost has found a very fun way of teaching his students about Roman technology and weaponry. 

Starting at the beginning of September, Bost gave his 9th grade history classes the assignment to design a working catapult to launch tennis balls behind the schools. 

Of course, students were not forced to make a catapult. If woodwork and construction was not quite their style, the option was given to write up an essay instead.

What lesson are they learning by launching these catapults exactly? 

Bost explains: “We’ve been talking about Greece and Roman Civilization and learning about their technology. It also helps them figure out how the Romans built them.” 

Bost also talks about where the idea came from: “I did it back in Brookville and the teacher before me, Mr. Haight did this for accuracy, but I wanted to see how far they could go.” 

Two students from Bost’s 9th grade history class both said that their favorite part was designing the catapults, and both also said that they enjoyed it. 

Jadyn Shumaker, 9th grader at Cranberry High School, adds, “My favorite part was seeing if it would actually work.” 

This sentiment seems to be common amongst students, who have seemed to enjoy it over the years. 

Since the students were given just a month to build the catapults, it felt fair to ask how hard it was to make the catapults.

Cole Edwards, 9th grade student,  puts it best: “Not hard at all.” 

With the catapults completed for the year, teacher Christopher Bost said, “Overall I think the project went well.  The objectives were met, and the students seemed engaged.  I will definitely continue the assignment in the future.  It's a great way to get students excited about history.”