News Bulletin November 6, 2009
ASPIRA Antonia Pantoja High School
Students Build
Marshmallow Catapults in Class
Last week, ASPIRA Antonia Pantoja High School students
constructed small catapults to investigate projectile motion in Mr. Palmer's
Physics class. In a precursor to the projectile motion unit in physics students
were asked to investigate how projectiles fly through the air and what factors
may affect the distance they travel. Their investigation led them to a project
which asked them to construct a small marshmallow catapult.
The students had
complete freedom in construction, their only stipulation was that they had to
use all the materials they were provided. Students were given popsicle sticks,
tape, glue, pencils and half of an index card.
As the pictures
illustrate, the projects were very creative. Not a single design was
duplicated, and most were surprisingly effective. The catapult which launched
the marshmallow the furthest catapulted the puffy treat a monstrous 340 inches!
ASPIRA Antonia Pantoja students displaying some of the catapults created:
 Antonia Pantoja High School Campus 3121 N. Pulaski Road Chicago, Illinois 60641 (773) 252-0970 Ext. 221 Fax: (773) 427-0872 http://aphs.aspirail.orgOffice Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. School Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:27 p.m. |
