Operation Capture Snowball

OCS or Operation Capture Snowball is our Easter Bunny Trap, a STEM project to display our understanding of simple machines by creating a harmless trap to encapture a bunny.

First, we had to gather our materials, which included cutting out the cardboard to make the box in which the bunny will be "stuck." We also gathered all of the correct measurements for all the other walls.

We even got a pretend bunny friend to use as a reference other than just average measurements for bunnies. :D

Our materials include:

• Cardboard
• Colored construction paper
• Hot glue
• Duct tape
• Rubber band
• Popsicle sticks
• String
• Wheels
• Marker
• Colored pencils

Once we had all 5 needed sides of cardboard cut out, we attached the sides to each other using duct tape along the edges of each. The box we had created was almost closed off, but we kept one side open in order to have an entryway for the bunny. Afterward, we taped on the cardboard piece designated for the ramp on the top edge side where the box was closed off in order to create the inclined plane (one of our simple machines) on where the bunny would walk upon. Finally, the seesaw was created by folding a piece of cardboard in half to create a v-shape, wrapping a rubber band in the bend of the v (so that one side is inside & the other is on the outside), and attaching a popsicle stick with duct tape in between the gap of said v-shape to make a sturdy base. After being secured, a piece of cardboard (similar in size to the cardboard piece used for the ramp) would be slid on top of the v-shape, underneath the rubber band already in place, and attaching the completed seesaw to the middle area of the top of the box (keep in mind that the end of the moving piece of the seesaw (opposite to the start where the ramp is) should line up and not go over the other side of the box that is empty without a side).

Moving on to the pulley system, our 3rd simple machine, we attached it to the main box with duck tape. The pully has sticks to hold to wheels up but they are loose enough to still able to spin. Then we added a string that was attached to a water bottle so we could regulate the weight and the platform part of the elevator. This made it so once weight is on the platform it would move downward. To top it all off, we taped on a bunny cutout to use a way of bait.

To top it all off, we taped on a bunny cutout to use a way of bait. Yes, a cutout bunny can be used since a bunny would like to be able to interact with one of its own.

To better and further bring in the bunny towards the elevator(the area we need the bunny to go to), we also duct-taped on crafted pretend carrots and yes, real treats would be preferable. The carrots(real or pretend) would also be located on the elevator floor and inside of the box. Also, adding color to as many parts of the project would further increase the chance of success. It would overall make the model look nicer.

Speaking of colors, decoration is here! Arguably one of the best parts of a project is making things physically appealing is always fun. This would also benefit the bunny so it feels safe instead of fear, so making it homey and adding pretend grass. In our case, we used markers, construction paper, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, string, and hot glue.

Since we don't have an actual bunny to test it on, improvise in making a stand-in pretend bunny. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure it is small enough to fit on the elevator floor and has enough weight for the elevator to move down. If you can, decorate your chosen object to look like a bunny!

To further add some flair, we used colored construction paper cut out to the size of the sides, ramp, and seesaw. For patterns, we cut out shapes. Remember, you are free to use any arts and crafts supplies you would like!

After the model is the way you would like for it to be, in both the way it works and how it looks, congratulations, you have completed our version of the bunny trap! Give yourself a pat on the back. :)