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Catapult

CAN YOU MAKE YOUR VERY OWN CATAPULT USING SOME ELASTIC BANDS, A SPOON AND SOME OLD LOLLIPOP STICKS?

EQUIPMENT

  • 7 Lollipop sticks
  • Elastic Bands
  • Plastic Spoon
  • Small pieces of rolled up paper

THE CHALLENGE

Catapults have been around since Ancient Greek times, and they are still just as much fun! Can you make your very own catapult using some elastic bands, a spoon and some old lollipop sticks?

METHOD

  1. Stack 5 of your lollipop sticks one on top of the other
  2. Wrap an elastic band around both ends of the lollipop stack to hold it together
  3. Separately stack 2 lollipop sticks on top of each other and wrap 1 elastic band around 1 end to hold them together
  4. Pull the 2 lollipop sticks slightly apart (at the end without the elastic band) and then insert the larger stack of lollipop sticks at a right angle in between the 2 open sticks
  5. Secure the larger stack to the 2 lollipop sticks by wrapping an elastic band tightly around the 2 sticks and the larger stack
  6. Attach the plastic spoon by the handle to the top lollipop stick using another elastic band. The spoon end needs to be facing scoop side outwards and at the top of the top lollipop stick.
  7. Place a small piece of rolled up paper in the scoop of the spoon
  8. Hold the catapult with one hand and pull down on the spoon with your other hand
  9. Let go of the spoon and see how far your paper projectile travels

HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Do not aim at someone using your catapult as this may cause injury.

Do not use hard objects as your projectiles, try small marshmallows, pom poms or rolled up pieces of foil

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