Lesson 1: Introducing the Catapult Project

Title: Introducing the Catapult Project

Author: Andrew Stillman

Week:2

Unit/Lesson Plan #: 5

Unit theme: Materials, Machines, and Tools

Textbook references: N/A

Learning objectives:

Key Questions, Concepts, or Themes:

Stage 1: Reintroduce students to the restrictions/requirements of the catapult design competition:

• Your team's total budget will be $5
• No single piece of the catapult may be longer than 30 centimeters.
• For materials, you will only be able to "purchase" items from the Stillman Harware store, which only carries a limited stock of items, depending on the rationale yo provide for each.
• Before your team can begin constructing your design, you must submit a scale drawing of the parts as well as a proposed budget.
• As a part of the final competition, you must submit a report that includes material review sheet for each material used.

Stage 2: Introduce the groups. (I have students grouped by gender, with the hope that this will releive some of the passivity and trepidation of female students of this age, when surrounded by the more rambunctious and aggressive boys.) Group sizes should be between two and three. Have students get into their groups and begin an early stage design brainstorm with the price list.

Stage 3:

Homework: (attach/link digital resources):

Assessments: (attach/link copies)

__ Group assessment

__ Observation of process/student work

__ Self-assessment by student

__ Teacher generated assignment

__ Written project

__ Test/Quiz

__ Other: ____________________________________