8th-Grade Catapult Designs Buttress Quadratic Understanding

Tighten your rubber bands and gather your Skittles—here come the catapults! No, Lowell’s 8th graders aren’t studying candy or medieval weaponry. Students in Peter’s math class are using these simple machines to model quadratic equations. Working in small teams, they have designed and built their own tabletop catapults from popsicle sticks, glue, rubber bands, and bottle caps. The goal isn’t power or distance—though one test model sent its colorful ammo sailing far past a defensive barricade of binders—but rather a consistent and replicable launch using a single Skittle. Teams were asked to consider why any variables in testing occurred and hypothesize what could fix the launches. Together they used creative problem-solving and pooled their knowledge of levers, force, and tension to make necessary adjustments to the catapults.

 

Once the designs are perfected, the students will measure both the distance traveled and the amount of time the projectile spends in the air. From there they can map out the parabolic path of the catapult using quadratic functions. With this predictable arc at their disposal, they will be able to set up the catapults in the right location to hit any target. Look out for flying Skittles!