Catapult

In this project students are calculating the equation for their catapult by taking data and making a best fit parabola. They then use the equation to predict where to put their catapult to hit targets on their opponent's castle.

To add an engineering design/making element, teams of students can construct their own catapults first (see catapult_entry_doc.pdf).

Original idea from ConnectEd, further inspiration from "Laying Siege to Parabolic Understanding" by John Rick in Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.