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Candy Cane Catapults: A Sweet Engineering Challenge

Materials Needed:

  • Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)

  • Rubber bands

  • Plastic spoons

  • Candy canes

  • Small objects to launch (e.g., mini marshmallows or small candies)

  • Tape

  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Gather Materials: Collect all the materials needed for the catapult, ensuring you have enough craft sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoons, and candy canes for each participant.
  2. Build the Base: Take two craft sticks and form a V shape by crossing them at the top and securing the bottom ends with a rubber band. This V shape will be the base of your catapult.
  3. Attach the Spoon: Take a plastic spoon and attach it to the top of the V shape. Secure it with rubber bands or tape. Ensure that the spoon is facing outward, away from the V shape.
  4. Create the Launching Arm: Take another craft stick and attach it to the opposite end of the spoon, forming an arm that can pivot. Use rubber bands or tape to secure the arm. This arm will be responsible for launching the candy cane.
  5. Add Tension: Place a candy cane between the spoon and the craft stick arm. The tension created when you press down on the spoon will launch the candy cane.
  6. Experiment with Angles: Encourage participants to experiment with the angle of the launching arm. Different angles can affect the distance the candy cane travels. This introduces an element of trial and error and encourages problem-solving.
  7. Launch and Measure: Once the catapult is assembled, it’s time to launch! Place a small object, such as a mini marshmallow, in the spoon, press down, and release. Measure how far the object travels and record the results.
  8. Adjust and Iterate: Challenge participants to make adjustments to their catapults to see if they can improve the distance of the launch. This iterative process promotes critical thinking and engineering skills.
  9. Optional Challenges: For an extra challenge, introduce targets or set distance goals. Participants can compete to see whose candy cane travels the farthest or who can accurately hit a target.
  10. Celebrate Success: Celebrate the engineering successes of each participant and discuss the principles of force, tension, and trajectory involved in the catapult design.

This Candy Cane Catapult activity not only adds a festive touch to STEM learning but also provides an exciting opportunity for hands-on engineering exploration during the holiday season. Enjoy the sweet success of launching candy canes and the joy of learning through play! 🍭🚀