Cotton Ball Catapult

Topic: In this team-based, hands-on activity, students learn about the product development process by designing and testing a cotton ball catapult. 

Time: 60 minutes; implemented in one session

Materials:

• Pre-Activity Checklist

• Tell My Story Form

• Student Handouts, 1 per student

• Computer with projector

• PowerPoint: Cotton Ball Catapult

• 1 yard stick, meter stick, or tape measure

• 2 black permanent markers 

• Pen/pencil, 1 per student 

•  Catapult Kit, 1 set of the following materials per team of two students 

  • 10 cotton balls 

  • 1 ruler 

  • 5 popsicle sticks/wooden sticks 

  • 1 roll of masking tape 

  • 10 rubber bands 

  • 2 plastic teaspoons 

  • 2 pipe cleaners 

  • 6’ 6” (2 meters) of string 

Cost: Less than US$20 in materials costs when completing this activity with 20 students organized into teams of two students.