Teacher’s Notes
Catapult
Objectives
Applying knowledge of:
•Simple machines, mechanisms and structures
•Engineering design
•Communicating and team working
•Applying principles of safety and product reliability
Other materials required (optional)
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Motivation
Beam Balance
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•Materials for powering the mechanism – weights, string, elastic bands
•Materials for to ensure safety e.g. handle, locking mechanism
•Materials for trying out the catapult e.g. small balls of expanded polystyrene
•Tape measure
To help in the design process, instruct the students to look at the picture on the front of the unit
and read the accompanying text.
Alternatively, let the students search the Internet to learn more about the appearance, shape and
form of ballistas, mangonels and trebuchets.
Discuss the constraints and functions the ancient engineers would have had to take into account.
Principle Models Building
Instructions booklet for
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While the activity is in progress, encourage the students to relate their
knowledge, skills and understanding to the task at hand by asking:
•How will your catapult work? Will it use counterweights, twisted string or rubber bands?
•What sort of structure will you use to support the throwing mechanism?
•How will you ensure that the throwing action does not cause the catapult to fall over?
•How will you ensure that the catapult can be easily moved from place to place?
•What will you use for ammunition?
When the activity is almost finished, encourage the students to reflect on both
the product that they have produced and the processes they have used by
encouraging the students to:
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•Carry out tests to evaluate the performance of the catapult:
- What is its range?
- What is its accuracy?
- What is its consistency?
•Record their design by drawing it or taking digital photos of it
•Add notes describing the way the model works and how this might be improved to get a better
performance
•Describe how to ensure safe use of the model
•Write briefly on what went well in their design task and what they could have done to improve it
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas de LEGO Group. ©2009 The LEGO Group.
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Catapult
Teacher’s Notes
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Suggested model solution
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas de LEGO Group. ©2009 The LEGO Group.
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