Innovators/6 Catapult Challenge

http://scienceline.org

The engineering design process consists of six steps: ask, imagine, plan, create, experiment, and improve.  You’ve been asked to build a cost-efficient catapult to complete a certain task.  Since class on Tuesday, you should have been imagining and brainstorming ideas for your catapult.  To supplement this step, watch the videos below.  These should help get your wheels turning faster as far as design and strategy.

Do some background research of your own and keep thinking about ideas to bring into class and begin sketching.  Your research and brainstorming along with these videos compose the “imagine” step of engineering design.  Be prepared by class time on Thursday to start the “planning” phase.


Timeline for Catapult Challenge:
Tuesday: 

• finish research/brainstorming
• sketch design ideas (BACK UP WITH REASONING!)
• model but do not start gluing anything
• before class ends, decide on one design for your group  

Wednesday:

• complete blueprint for team design (WITH REASONING)
• build catapult
• if catapult is finished, begin testing

Thursday:

• continue testing - make modifications if needed
• prepare for competition

Friday:

• COMPETITION DAY!!