Catapult Project DCMST ---- Spring 2015

Each group will build a catapult designed to launch a tennis ball at a target. The more accurately your catapult throws the tennis ball the more successful you will be.

Rules:

  1. You must work in a group of 3 people from your class. Your catapult must be mechanical and launch on a trigger device. In other words, it is free standing, you press a lever, release a trigger, etc. and, the tennis ball is launched. You cannot use compressed air or other shooting devices. It must be launched by an arm.
  2. You must submit an accurate scale drawing with materials list by ______. If you do not turn in a drawing, you will receive a zero for the project. The material you are using must be listed on the scale drawing. Be sure to include a scale on the bottom of your drawing.
  3. You may not use a pre-made kit.
  4. You may use any materials to build your project as long as the materials are safe to use.
  5. Safety is of the utmost importance. Any devices we deem as unsafe may not be used. Any student in the launch are must wear safety glasses.
  6. Your catapult must be able to fit into a 2ft x 2ft x 4ft box.
  7. Playoffs between classes may be held after school.
  8. All projects must be removed by the owners of those projects after the testing period is done. We will not store them for posterity.
  9. You may start bringing in your projects starting ______. Final project due date is ______. Late entries will not be accepted or tested and will receive a zero grade. If you are absent make sure a teammate turns in your project.

Target:

The target will be a stack of 10 blocks of wood in the shape of a pyramid—4 blocks on the bottom row then 3, 2, 1. The target will be on a table and placed a distance of 25 feet from the launching point. Each team will be given 3 tennis balls and will have 2 min to knock down as many blocks as they can. One team member will be assigned to shoot the catapult, another to retrieve the tennis balls, and the 3rd to restack the blocks. The catapult may not be fired until the cans are restacked and everyone is out of the marked target area and cleared by the judge.

Game points:

One point will be awarded for the each block knocked out of the taped area on the table. The team with the highest point total will be declared the winner. In the case of a tie there will be a one shot play-off until one side wins. If any team is not ready to play within one minute of being called, they will forfeit the round. If any tennis balls are “lost” the team may be disqualified.

Project points:

  1. The project will be worth 100 points.
  2. Any project that throws the tennis ball forward will earn 70 points.
  3. Any project that can hit the target area on the first bounce earns 80 points
  4. Any project that knocks down at least one block during a match earns 90 points.
  5. Any project that knocks down 20 blocks during a match earns 100 points.
  6. The first round a team wins earns each member 3 extra credit points
  7. The winner of each successive round earns 1 point extra credit
  8. Champion team of a class will earn 3 extra credit points
  9. Overall champ will earn an additional 3 extra credit points
  10. A correct equation must be developed for the flight of the tennis ball.
  11. Calculus classes must determine the point of where the mean value theorem occurs in the flight of the ball path as well as #10.
  12. Extra credit math problems related to this project may be issued if the team’s overall score is low and the teacher determines the effort put into the project is worth another chance. This will be limited and totally at the teachers discretion.