Students in Mrs. Smith’s Physics class were challenged to design, build, and decorate their own catapults for the annual competition. Using totally random materials like various sizes of wooden sticks, hot glue, rubber bands, bottle caps, sporks, and other items that Mrs. Smith approved, students built their creations to launch small marshmallows.

Each group competed for several categories, including farthest distance, highest launch, best accuracy, and best design.

Following the initial competition, students took the challenge a step further by staging a friendly classroom “battle.” Divided into two teams–the East Side and the West Side– students made bases and forts for protection. They launched marshmallows at their opponents using their catapults. If a student was hit, they were eliminated from the battle. The winning team was determined by successfully eliminating all opponents while still having at least one teammate remaining.

The East Side consisted of AJ Broerman, Robbie Streby, Antonio Rojas, Riley Gorman, Stephen Lee, and Sheldon Carpener. The West Side included Ella Bouton, Micah Phillips, Caitlin Roddy, Isabel Louthan, Aubrey Louthan, Sam Baker, and Drew Dumbaugh. After a close match, the West Side emerged victorious, with Caitlin and Aubrey the final students remaining.

This project gave students the ability to apply physics concepts in an engaging and interactive way.

Winners listed below photo gallery.

Gallery • 31 Photos

WINNERS

Farthest Launch: AJ Broerman & Robbie Streby

Highest Launch: Micah Phillips & Isabel Louthan

Most Accurate Build: Stephen Lee, Ezekiel Legros, & Sheldon Carpenter

Best Design: (TBD by vote)

Battle Winners: The West Side – Caitlin Roddy & Aubrey Louthan still remaining. (Eliminated team members – Ella Bouton, Drew Dumbaugh, Sam Baker, Isabel Louthan, & Micah Phillips)