PVC Pipe Catapult

PVC pipe catapults are a great group activity that emphasizes engineering. The cataput can work many different ways and have many different designs. This activity is also great because it can be reused in the future and have completely different outcomes.

Materials:

• PVC pipes

• PVC connectors

• PVC pipe cutter (depending on the age group precutting may be necessary)

• Bungee cords

• Ping-pong ball

• Plastic cups

Pipe measurement:

(Measurement and quantities can vary and largely depend on how many teams there are and their designs. The measurements and quantities shown here were for a group of about 8)

0.25 inches: 4 pieces

0.5 inches: 2 pieces

1 inches: 6 pieces

2 inches: 2 pieces

3 inches: 1 piece

Elbow connectors: 10 pieces

Tee connectors: 7 pieces

Procedure:

1. Show group members the available materials and have them brainstorm and research catapults

2. Have each group member draw out a design for a catapult

3. Share out ideas and choose the best one or combine ideas

4. Build the catapult

5. Test the catapult

6. Improve on the catapult

7. Repeat steps five and six as many times as needed to make the best possible catapult