Project Guide · Engineering & Motion
Gummi Bear Catapult Building
Construct a small craft-stick launcher and investigate how angle, force, and structure change the path of a soft candy projectile.
What You Will Create
A flexible, hands-on build.
Construct a small craft-stick launcher and investigate how angle, force, and structure change the path of a soft candy projectile. The guide can be adapted for families, classrooms, clubs, or drop-in learning spaces.
Engineering & Motion · Flexible group size · Easy to extend
Project Media
See the project take shape.
Project photo and video coming soon
Get Ready
Supplies and preparation
Supplies
Gather these materials
- Craft sticks
- Rubber bands
- Plastic spoons
- Gummi bears
- Targets
- Measuring tape
- Eye protection
Preparation
Before participants begin
Mark a launch line and a clear target area. Build and test a sample launcher so the available materials produce safe, manageable distances.
Launch only toward the designated floor or tabletop target. Everyone should remain behind the launch line and wear eye protection. Do not eat launched materials.
Build Guide
Follow the steps
Test as you build. Small revisions are part of the process and help participants understand why the final design works.
1. Plan and prepare
Stack several craft sticks and secure both ends with rubber bands to form a base.
2. Build the foundation
Band two more sticks together at one end and slide the base stack between them.
3. Add the main feature
Attach a plastic spoon to the upper arm with rubber bands.
4. Test and adjust
Place one soft projectile in the spoon, aim at the clear target, and press the arm down gently.
5. Finish and reflect
Release, measure the result, and change only one feature before testing again.
Keep Exploring
Try another direction
Use one of these extensions after the first version is working.
- Compare three launch angles.
- Move the fulcrum and record how distance changes.
- Create a scoring target based on accuracy and consistency.
LEARNING CONNECTIONS
Ideas within the build
Learning Connections
Ideas within the build
Levers, force, angle, trajectory, variables, measurement, prediction, and safe testing.
Facilitator Note
Make the process visible
Ask participants to predict what will happen, test one change at a time, and explain what they revised. Photograph early and final versions so the improvement process becomes part of the project story.
Find another project.
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