Catapult - Cameron MacLean

I made a catapult out of a popsicle sticks and other basic materials which utilizes a lever and pulley to launch a small projectile.

popsicle sticks

string

long axle

wooden spheres with hole

weight

glue gun (could use wood glue, but process would be more lengthy)

scissors

popsicle stick cutter (optional)

Use the glue gun and popsicle sticks to create 3 frames, 2 of which, when connected by more popsicle sticks, will support the weight that you will drop or pull to power the catapult. The final one will act as the base.

Place the base horizontally, and connect the 2 other frames to one side, and connect those to each other. Then add 2 more sets of sticks which connect at a 90 degree angle between the weight frames and base. Connect those sets of sticks with an axle which comes between two of the wooden beads.

Connect the projectile holder, which you can make with 2 connected sticks with a holding piece at the end, to the axle so that it faces the frames when launching. Tie a string to the end of the holder and connect it to the weight, which you will hang on a popsicle stick which attaches to the two frames at their peak. Then create a "stopper" which prevents the launcher from allowing the string to become taught. Use a popsicles stick and a platform layered on top of that stick connecting to the top of the frames.

Load the launcher with one of the beads and prime it by pulling the weight up. Then, either pull down or let the weight go depending on the weight of the weight you chose. This will make the launcher spin about the axle and, once it hits the stopper, launch the projectile.