Ancient Roman Torsion Catapult Precision Target Trials

45 mins Ages 8-13 Indoor

An engaging, screen-free learning activity that builds real-world creativity and critical thinking for kids aged 8 to 13.

Materials Needed

  • • Wooden craft sticks (10 sticks)
  • • Sturdy rubber bands (6 units)
  • • Plastic bottle cap (1 unit)
  • • Mini marshmallows or soft craft pom-poms (6 units)
  • • Cardboard target sheet with drawn rings (1 sheet)

Pro Tips

  • → Build a triangular wooden base with stacked craft sticks lashed tightly with rubber bands.
  • → Glue a plastic bottle cap onto the throwing arm to act as the payload cup.
  • → Set up concentric cardboard target rings on the floor with score points (10, 25, 50) to test precision aiming.

Safety First

Launch only soft mini marshmallows or pom-poms. Never aim toward eyes or faces.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Step 1

Stack 7 craft sticks together and bind both ends tightly with rubber bands to form the crossbar fulcrum.

2

Step 2

Lash two more craft sticks together into a V-lever around the crossbar using rubber bands.

3

Step 3

Glue a plastic bottle cap to the tip of the upper throwing arm to serve as the payload cup.

4

Step 4

Draw numbered target rings on cardboard, load a mini marshmallow, pull back, and launch toward the targets.

What they are learning

Elastic potential energy storage Hooke's law trajectory ballistics Empirical target calibration