Catapult STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks
This is an easy-to-follow STEM Activity using popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Kids will learn how to successfully engineer a catapult with these simple materials.
Equipment
- Jumbo 6 Inch Wooden Multi-Purpose Popsicle Sticks
- BAZIC 465 Multicolor Rubber Bands
- Bright Creations 1-Inch Foam Balls, Small White Spheres for DIY Crafts (350 Pack)
Ingredients
- 9 popsicles or craft sticks
- 5 rubber bands
- 1 plastic spoon
- Small ball to fit inside the spoon we used foam balls
Instructions
- Get one craft stick and attach the spoon using two rubber bands making sure that the bend in the spoon handle is over the end of the craft stick.
- The first rubber band must be placed at the base of the handle and the other one is about ½ inch - 1 inch from the end of the craft stick (depending on what size stick you are using)
- Next, two rubber bands must secure 7 pieces of crafts sticks.
- Attach another craft stick underneath the craft stick with the spoon using a rubber band.
- Push the stack of 7 craft sticks gently between those two craft sticks that you just attached.
- Your catapult is done! You can try it by placing a small ball into thespoon and pressing down on the tip of the spoon to launch.