Back to School STEM Activity: Craft Stick Catapult Challenge (BTS16) | Middle School Physics Lab (Grades 6-8)

? BACK TO SCHOOL STEM ACTIVITY: CRAFT STICK CATAPULT CHALLENGE (BTS16)

2-Page Printable STEM Packet | Print-Ready PDF Format

Launch into mechanical engineering, elastic potential energy, and projectile trajectory physics! The Craft Stick Catapult Challenge (BTS16) challenges middle school student teams to act as ballistics engineers, constructing a lever-action catapult using jumbo craft sticks, rubber bands, and a plastic spoon to hit distance and accuracy targets.

Students explore elastic potential energy, lever fulcrum positions, 45-degree launch trajectories, average distance math, and target precision!

? WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS 2-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world mechanical physics and ballistics scenario. Clear material constraints box (10 craft sticks, 5 rubber bands, 1 spoon, tape, mini marshmallows, fixed launch line). Dedicated Lever Mechanics & Fulcrum Blueprint sketching zone for planning pivot points, lever arms, and rubber band tension placement.

• ? Page 2: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (track pullback angles, launch distances in cm, and target accuracy across 3 trial launches). Applied Math Connection (calculate average launch distance across testing trials in cm). Physics reflection questions analyzing elastic energy conversion, fulcrum height mechanical advantage, and optimal 45-degree trajectory arcs.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Mechanical Engineering, Lever Mechanics & Fulcrum Placement

• Elastic Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy Conversion

• Data Logging, Distance Measurements (cm), and Average Math

• Projectile Motion, Trajectory Angles, and Accuracy Testing

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• High-Engagement Classroom Classic: Guaranteed 100% student engagement as teams test launch angles and land hits in target zones!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple craft sticks, rubber bands, spoons, and mini marshmallows.

• Clean 2-Page Layout: Keeps student lever blueprints, distance average math, and physics reflections organized on a single front-and-back printable sheet.

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (2 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces & Motion, Mechanical Levers, Back to School Activities

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