Care Package Launch

Students will engage in a STEM challenge to design a catapult that can land on two different targets. In this design challenge, students will explore forces and motion in the operation of the simple machine known as a lever. Students will then design a catapult to hit two targets at two different distances.

The students will be presented with the following problem: The Kingdom of Raventown is looking to deliver care packages to the town of Oriola but is prevented by a large canyon.

Students will put on their engineering hats to build a catapult to deliver care packages to two different target locations. Bonus points will be awarded to those who wish to build a catapult that can successfully launch a heavier care package to both locations.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to

Plan and conduct a descriptive investigation to demonstrate how the strength of a push and pull changes an object’s motion
Plan and conduct a descriptive investigation to demonstrate and explain how position and motion can be changed by pushing and pulling objects
Plan and conduct investigations that demonstrate how the speed of an object is related to its mechanical energy
Investigate and explain how equal and unequal forces acting on an object cause patterns of motion and transfer of energy
Analyze the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on the state of motion of an object using Newton’s First Law of Motion
Solve a problem using the engineering design process

Standards Alignment + Connections

Next Generation Science Standards

3-PS2-1- Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object

MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem..

MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards

Standards for Mathematics

3.NBT.A.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.

4.NBT.B.4; Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

2021 Science TEKS covered in this design challenge:

Grade 2 TEKS: 2.1.B, 2.1.E, 2.1.G, 2.2.D, 2.6.A, 2.6.C, 2.7.B
Grade 3 TEKS: 3.1.B, 3.1.E, 3.1.G, 3.2.D, 3.7.B, 3.8.B
Grade 5 TEKS: 5.1.B, 5.1.E, 5.1.G, 5.2.D, 5.7.A
Grade 7 TEKS: 7.1.B, 7.1.E, 7.1.G, 7.2.D, 7.7.D

Math TEKS covered in this design challenge:

Grade 3 TEKS: 3.4.F, 3.4.G
Grade 5 TEKS: 5.3.K, 5.10.F
Grade 7 TEKS: 7.3.A, 7.3.B

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