 Grade 8 Science Project 2010
Our grade eight students at Clayburn Middle School will shortly commence a project on catapults as part of their regular science curriculum. This project is to be completed by all students for the following reasons:
• Science projects fulfill several of the prescribed learning outcomes for Gr. 8
• The project relates to both the medieval studies covered in the Social Studies 8 curriculum and the Forces and Gravity unit we will be working on.
This project will be included in the Science mark for the term two report card.
Some of the marks may also be included in the overall Social Studies and Language Arts mark.
Projects will be completed in groups of three.
Project Guidelines:
• Design a working catapult at school using the materials provided and within the specified time
frame. You may copy an existing design or create a design of your own.
• Your catapult must be either a trebuchet, mangonel or ballista designed to fire a golf ball.
• Your group needs to have a simple plan ready for the build day.
The basic building materials to build the catapult will be provided
• You will have 2 afternoons or mornings (2 hours) to build your catapult with your group. The first
afternoon/morning (on February 17th) will be to do the initial build. This will be followed by testing.
The second time slot will be to make any changes or repairs.
Materials that you will need to bring from home:
- weight, if you are going to build a trebuchet
- any steel pieces that you may need, rod, axel, braces. (no hammers or nails)
- a holder or material to hold the ball
- an energy source ( elastics, bungee cords, surgical tubing, thera-bands, etc)
- any simple tools that you may need (cordless screwdrivers are OK)
Students bringing tools from home must have a signed permission note in the student planner.
• Students may not bring extra wood or pre-fabricated metal pieces.
.Science Build-off Rules and Supplies
Project Guidelines:
•Design a working catapult at school using the materials provided and
within the specified time frame. You may copy an existing design or create
a design of your own.
•Your catapult must be either a trebuchet, mangonel or ballista designed to
fire a golf ball.
****Your group needs to have a plan ready for the build day.****
The basic building materials to build the catapult will be provided
1) 16in by 16in plywood base
2) 5 strips of wood (1îx 1/2î x 3í)
3) 16 screws
4) a hinge and 2 small screws
5) 4-6 small angle supports
6) 4 larger angle supports
7) 8 small washers
8) screw hook
9) screw loop
10) duct tape
11) string
12) wire if needed
Materials that you will need to bring from home:
ïtudents may not bring extra wood or pre-fabricated metal pieces
- Weight, if you are going to build a trebuchet
- Any steel accessories that you may need, rod, axel, and braces.
- Any holder or material to hold the ball
- An energy source (elastics, bungee cords, surgical tubing, thera-bands,
etc)
- Any simple tools that you may need (cordless screwdrivers are OK)
Students bringing tools from home must have a signed permission note in the student planner.
Catapult research Guidelines:
Open the following Word document.
Cata research10.doc
Catapult Project Marking Guidelines
Preparation (40)
Research 30
Hand drawn plans 10
Working Catapult (20)
Quality / Durability 10
Distance and accuracy 10
Data (15)
• a chart showing class results as individuals (5 marks)
• a graph showing class results as individuals (5 marks)
• a bar graph showing the average distance for the three types of catpults
(5 marks)
All charts and graphs must be clearly labeled with a title and label for the X and Y axis.
Conclusion (25) (answer the questions in full sentences)
1) Was your catapult successful? Why or why not?
2) What changes did you make to your original plan, were they effective?
3) Make 3 comments based on the class data.
4) Whoís catapult was the most effective and why?
5) If you were building another catapult, what would you do differently and
why?
TOTAL FOR THE PROJECT 100 marks
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