Ready? Aim. FIRE!

Join Miss. Medieval as you discover the ancient art of catapults. Learn the differences between a ballista, a trebuchet and a mangonel. Try your hand at constructing these hurling devices. Adjust your machines, test your designs and construct your very own take-home catapult!

Highlights

  • Theme: Medieval
  • Activities: Theme based storytelling, discovery-based learning about the Mangonel, Trebuchet and Ballista, experimentation of devices using problem solving skills, individual construction of Catapults to test and take home.
  • Cross-curricular connections
  • Take-Home: Students build their own functioning catapult

“Students loved the activities & being able to take their catapults home.”

S.D., Grade 4 TeacherSt. Gabriel School

“I really enjoyed the costumes, the background information prior to beginning the stations and activity, the hands-on learning activities and fun stations.”

Grade 4 TeacherApostles of Jesus School

“The hands-on aspect of the field trip was excellent. Students really enjoyed being able to test out the catapults.”

Grade 4 TeacherCrestwood School

“I like that you bring all materials needed, everything was in working order, the presenter was on time and kept to her schedule, and the program covers curriculum outcomes.”

Grade 4 TeacherSt. Bonaventure School

4–7 Construct a mechanical device for a designated purpose, using materials and design suggestions provided.

4–8 Explore and evaluate variations to the design of a mechanical device, demonstrating that control is an
important element in the design and construction of that device.

  1. Design and construct devices and vehicles that move or have moving parts—linkages, wheels and axles.
  2. Use simple forces to power or propel a device; e.g., direct pushes, pulls, cranking mechanisms, moving air, moving water and downhill motion.
  3. Design and construct devices and vehicles that employ energy-storing or energy-consuming components that will cause motion; e.g., elastic bands, springs, gravity, wind, moving water.
  4. Recognize the need for control in mechanical devices, and apply control mechanisms where necessary.
  5. Compare two designs, identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses of each.
  6. Identify steps to be used in constructing a device or vehicle, and work cooperatively with other students to construct the device or vehicle.
  7. Design and construct several different models of a device and evaluate each model, working cooperatively with other students.