Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge Design Assessment
1. Define the Problem.
Construct a catapult that propels a ping-pong ball
1.5 meters horizontally in the air.
2. Research the Problem. (6pts)
Research three sources. Sources can be a website. Cite using
a URL number. Record the useful data obtained below. Focus
on design, structure and performance. Include a sketch for each.
Attach a sheet of paper if more space is needed. Label extra
paper: step 2, and the appropriate resource number.
Notice p.3 step 5 Specifications.
Resource 1 Resource 2 Resource 3
Citation(URL): Citation(URL): Citation(URL):
3. Create Three Possible Solutions. Sketch them in grid below. (6pts)
Design 1
Design 2
Design 3
4. Choose the Best Solution or Create a Combination of Best Ideas
Best Design (5pts)
How did you create your Best Design? Did you choose one or make a combination
of designs. Explain your reasoning. (10pts)
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o Performance Assessment: Teacher Check Point to be completed the last day. Showing the ping pong ball thrown 1.5m ______(5 points)
5. Create a Prototype (the first kind) using the materials supplied: See specifications below.
Specifications (necessary traits):
· Total mass should not exceed 750 g (balances will be provided)
· Make use of a trigger mechanism during launch. Example: Pull back arm, attach a string, then cut.
· Limit supplies to those obtained from the teacher: white glue, popsicle sticks, string, notebook paper or index paper.
· Launch a ping-pong ball horizontally a minimum distance of 1.5 meters.
5. Performance Testing:
Run three preliminary trials before your Performance Assessment.
Select data to collect average speed. Calculate your answers to the nearest 0.01 place. Use this data to help with the Redesign step below.
Speed= distancetime
Data Collection Table - for Preliminary Results (10pts)Distance
(meters) / Time
(seconds) / Average Speed (meters/second)
Please show ESA in the boxes below.
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
6. Analyzing and Redesigning:
a) What changes can be made on the catapult to increase the average speed of the ping pong ball? (identify specific parts) (10pts)
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b) If you were going to manufacture your catapult, the cost of materials could be a limiting factor to your profit. How would you redesign the catapult to decrease the amount of materials used, while still keeping the same design and performance? Have a topic sentence, 3 supporting details and a closing sentence. (20pts)
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c) Design a new catapult that launches a bowling ball instead of a ping pong ball using common materials. Example: wood, steel, cable.
Material list: include kind and dimensions of material. (5pts)
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d) Sketch the new catapult that launches a bowling ball. Include the dimensions and materials in the sketch area below. (17pts)
Physics 8 Final ProjectPage 6