What it is: Any time students can dig in and discover learning for themselves, I consider it a success. Recently I ran across the BBC’s DIY build a catapult. The site lets students explore the history behind the catapult, learn how to build one step by step and then discover principles of velocity, acceleration, force, distance and math. With the popularity of games like Angry Birds, I think a lesson in the science and math behind the catapult is in order. I like the step-by-step nature of this site and the way that kids are guided through a series of directions.
How to integrate BBC Build a Catapult into the classroom: Begin with a time of inquiry where students can inquire into how catapults work, what they can launch, what they have been used for in the past and the science and math behind the catapult. This site will help answer a lot of their questions and even prompt some additional questions. Students can follow the step-by-step directions for constructing their own catapult. Give students the opportunity to test their catapults, using the science and math concepts behind the catapult to predict where object will land based on angles and mass. The science section of the site does a fantastic job of illustrating vertical velocity, horizontal velocity, the circumference of a circle, acceleration, force and mass. These can be hard to understand concepts on paper (or in textbooks) but when students can see the concept illustrated and apply it, they will begin to build a framework of understanding.
After students understand the concepts of building a catapult, ask them to try building a catapult out of different types of supplies, do some energy sources work better than others? Ask students to think about objects in our modern-day lives that use the principles or science used in a catapult.
Students can access this site from classroom computers as a learning/building center or go through the steps as a class using a projector-connected computer or interactive whiteboard.
I really appreciated the step-by-step directions for students to follow. This is such a necessary life skill, and one that I don’t see practiced enough. If students know how to read, understand and follow directions, the whole world opens for them and Google becomes useful!
Tips: At the bottom of the site are printable versions of the directions for building a catapult.
Please leave a comment and share how you are using BBC DIY Catapult in your classroom!
Love sites like this that encourage kids to apply science principles in practical projects. I’ve always been fascinated by catapults and trebuchets – must be my inner destroyer!