Designing a Slingshot based on the book Those Darn Squirrels!

Catapult Design

Step 2: using the two big popsicle sticks, tie them together at the top and towards the middle of the sticks

Step 3: wedge the bundle of small popsicle sticks in between the two large popsicle sticks to make the catapult more sturdy

We read the book Those Darn Squirrels! and our challenge was to create a catapult using the materials given to us. The purpose of this project is to design a slingshot/catapult that can launch at least 4 feet using the materials given.

Materials: - Popsicle sticks (8 small, 2 big) - 1 dixie cup - Ball of foil (squirrel) - 3 rubber bands - 1 optional material: piece of scotch tape to hold cup to popsicle stick

Those Darn Squirrels! Catapult Design

Step 4: Tape down the cup to the edge of the big popsicle stick so the cup stays when the foil ball is catapulted out.

Observations: 1. I found that it launched a lot farther than I thought it would (went about 6 feet in distance) 2. The more tension there was (the tighter the rubber bands were), the more sturdy and controlled the launch of the ball was 3. This was a fun project to think about a design from start to finish!

Step 1: combine all 8 small popsicle sticks and tie them up using one of the rubber bands