Pumpkin Catapults

Summary:

Students will be tasked with creating a pumpkin catapult to launch a candy pumpkin (or other small, light object). Students will launch their catapults and grades 2-5 will measure and record their launch data, while grades K-1 will compare/compete with other groups.

Standards:

[NC.K.MD.2] Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of”/“less of” the attribute, and describe the difference.

[NC.3.MD.2] Solve problems involving customary measurement.

[NC.4.MD.3] Solve problems with area and perimeter.

Supplies:

• rubber bands

• lid to a soda or water bottle

• popsicle sticks

• Masking tape

• pipe cleaners

• spoons

• Candy pumpkins or other objects to launch like pom-poms

• Masking tape 

• Measuring tapes (grades 2-5)

Additional Materials:

Flyer

Slides

Design Sheets