Engineers Week Activities for Schools, Students and Parents
Baylor is committed to sharing the benefits of discovery throughout our community. We’re proud to join in the celebration of National Engineers Week, an opportunity to celebrate innovation and encourage students to become the next generation of engineers.
As part of Baylor’s new Research Impacts initiative, we’re offering a free activity to help schools and families have some hands-on fun while learning about the engineering process. The activity includes step-by-step instructions for a homemade catapult target game that can be completed at home or school. This activity, approved for students in elementary through high school, is a fun and accessible way to encourage your student to create, innovate, problem-solve and engineer solutions to enable their catapult to perform the ways they want it to and hit their targets!
We hope to encourage children to learn more about STEM topics and consider becoming part of the next generation of scientists and engineers!
Instructions
- You’ll need the following materials to complete the project:
- Trifold posterboard or heavy stock paper to elevate the backboard
- 2 tongue depressors
- 7 popsicle sticks
- 5 rubber bands (#64)
- 1 plastic spoon
- Ping-pong ball
Click here to download printable pdf instructions with photos.
Once you have the needed materials, here’s how to get started:
- First, download your Baylor backboard with targets.
- Second, download educational poster on the Engineering Process.
- You'll need to elevate the Baylor backboard and targets. A trifold posterboard or heavy stock paper can be used to elevate it on a table, or the backboard can be affixed to a wall or vertical surface.
- Now, begin to create your catapult. Place one tongue depressor under the spoon handle and attach with two rubber bands at the base and the end of the spoon.
- Next, stack 7 popsicle sticks and secure one end with a rubber band.
- Insert the second tongue depressor above the popsicle stick at the bottom of the stack.
- Secure the other end of the stack with a rubber band.
- Align the tongue depressors, placing the stack of popsicle sticks between the tongue depressors. Attach the tongue depressors with a rubber band near the end.
- Now, test your catapult for accuracy and distance. Place the ping pong ball on the spoon, pull it back, and launch at the target!
- Record your data.
- Modify design by adjusting components. How can you improve on the design? Consult the Engineering Process to guide your students through the problem-solving process.