This lesson consists of several related modules can be used together to develop a sense of the engineering design process or modules can be used individually. The entire series will lead students through the design of a miniature catapult using engineering design practices, including: investigating material properties, structural properties, calculating forces using Newtonian mechanics, as well as utilizing statistical and computer modelling and simulation. While the modules have been designed specifically with middle school students in mind (as many of the concepts covered are introduced in the middle school setting), it can easily be adapted for high school usage by removing much of the scaffolding and allowing the students to develop the testing and simulation procedures they will be using themselves (HS-ETS1-2), emphasizing the use of Higher-Order Thinking Skills and problem-solving.

Final Program Example

Files

All files (including editable docx versions): catapult.zip

Individual files:

• Catapult Lesson Plan
• Physics Calculations for a Mangonel Handout
• Completed Scratch Program File