Games
Pyramid Slingshot
Children create a pyramid frame and attach a slingshot to launch small objects. This game teaches tension, aim, and energy transfer in a playful way.
Materials
- Sausage Sticks/Popsicle Sticks
- Masking Tape
- Bottle Cap/Paper Cup
- Rubber
Click on the image to learn more
Checklist
Older game
how to play
children work in groups of 3-4 to build a pyramid-shaped frame using sticks or straws. They then attach a rubber band to create a slingshot. Tell the kids a story about launching small objects like rockets using the power of stretchy rubber. Kids place small balls or paper bits in the slingshot and aim to launch them far. If they find it tricky to tie the rubber band or aim, give simple hints about how to stretch the band and where to place the object. This game helps kids learn about tension, aim, and energy while having fun.
Challanges
- You can experiment with different things to launch, such as Jenga, pebbles, balls, or paper balls, to see the difference.
- If they have to launch the object to a far distance, what changes will they make in this?
- You can challenge them to make this catapult in a bigger framework that can launch high-density objects.
Questions to be asked
- Why is triangle or pyramid shape used? (Because it can't change its fundamental shape without breaking and distributes force evenly, you can show a demo of a square frame how it can change into a diamond shape)
- What happens when you use more or less of rubber bands?
- What differences can be seen when we try launching objects with different shapes, sizes, and density?