Did you know a catapult is a type of lever? There are three different types of levers based on where the fulcrum, load, and force are in the lever. The fulcrum is where the lever moves. A catapult is a class three lever!

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‍Materials:

- 3 Rubber Bands

- 6 Large Craft Sticks

Optional Materials:

- More Large Craft Sticks

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Procedure:

1. Stack four craft sticks together. Then secure one end of the stack of craft sticks with a rubber band.

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2. Slide one of the remaining craft sticks into the open end of the stack of craft sticks perpendicular. There should be one stick below and three sticks on top.

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3. Secure the other end of the stack of craft sticks with a rubber band. Then place your last craft stick perpendicular on top of the three craft sticks.

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4. Secure the two perpendicular sticks on one end with a rubber band.

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5. Try launching soft objects like marshmallows or cotton balls with your new catapult! Are there other materials you can try building another catapult with?

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What’s happening? You used a sturdy but somewhat flexible item to launch items into the air. This happens because the stick wants to return to its original shape after it was bent out of shape.

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When you press the launching arm down, it begins to store potential energy and once released, the potential energy changes into kinetic energy and launches an object.

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