Ready, Aim, Fire!
Objective: Each team of 2 people will construct a device to launch a
given object a specified distance between 2 and 5 meters.
Possible objects to fling: ping-pong ball, golf ball, marshmallow (full
size), or a small wiffle ball.
Every team will receive up to 3 half pint-sized and/or pint-sized milk cartons, a large amount
of masking tape, and a pair of scissors, access to yarn or string.
Possible building materials:
Up to 10 straws, up to 10 toothpicks, up to 10 craft sticks, up to 25cm
square of cardboard, up to 10 pipe cleaners, up to 5 rubber bands
(assorted sizes), up to 10 large washers, [approximate size &
weight of a quarter].
1. Device may fit within the description of a
catapult (spring-style lever) or trebuchet(counterweight or downward
force on one end of a lever). However, slingshot (ballista
or onager) type devices may not be used.
2. The teams will get 15 minutes to construct their
launching device.
3. Each team will receive a bag of building
materials. All teams will receive the same materials. The
materials listed above may be among them, but the actual materials are
not limited to the list. No team or coach will know the actual
contents of the bags before the event.
4. Only the materials in the bag may be used, and the
bag may NOT be used. No additional materials or adhesives may be
used.
5. The team may hold the device securely while
shooting, but the base may not be moved in any direction during
propulsion. Neither may the launchers contribute any forward
motion to the launch.
6. A target will be set up between 2 and 5 meters
from the launching line.
7. Scoring is based on a Bulls-Eye concept.
Concentric rings will represent the target. The point value will
increase as the rings approach the center, or bulls-eye.
8. Two flings will occur. The total of the two
flings will be the final score. High score wins.
9. Since three teams will be shooting, the teams will
each have their first shot at the target in rotation, and then repeat
(Team A, Team B, Team C, Team A, Team B, Team C). The teams will
be allowed to make minor adjustments to their second shot while the
other two are shooting, but no additional materials may be added to the
device.
Tiebreaker
The difference between shots (points) will determine who has the higher
ranking. Example: Team Y :1st shot = 75, 2nd shot = 75, total
150, difference 0. Team Z: 1st shot = 50, 2nd shot = 100, total
150, difference 50. Tie-breaker goes to Team Y.
Resource websites:
www.knightforhire.com/catapults - search around this site
for lots of great information
www.newton.mec.edu/BROWN/TE/catapults