ENTRY EVENT
Phase 1 - Design
You and your team will be constructing a catapult that will be used to launch a ping pong ball to hit a target in 3 different locations by finding the quadratic equation that fits the parabolic arch of your catapult.
When planning and carrying out your design, it is recommended to use commonly found household items such as pencils, rulers, rubber bands, tape, glue, and plastic spoons. Although not required, you can purchase supplies such as craft or Popsicle sticks if desired, but please keep spending to a minimum.
Note that your group should supply your own ping pong balls to launch.
When planning and carrying out your design, it is recommended to use commonly found household items such as pencils, rulers, rubber bands, tape, glue, and plastic spoons. Although not required, you can purchase supplies such as craft or Popsicle sticks if desired, but please keep spending to a minimum.
Note that your group should supply your own ping pong balls to launch.
Phase 2 - Construct
You and your team will construct your catapult and make sure that it successfully and consistently launches a ping pong ball.
PHASE 3 - Collect Data
You and your team will collect data to determine the maximum distance your catapult can launch a ping pong ball as well as the maximum height the ping pong ball can reach after being launched by your catapult.
Be sure to collect data several times (minimum of 10 trials) to get a consistent measure of the maximum distance and maximum height. Use your knowledge of maximum distance to help you when you're testing the maximum height.
When measuring, make sure you know from where on the catapult you are measuring and that your are consistent in your measuring. Be sure to measure in inches. You can use the chalk dust and black paper to better identify where the ping pong ball lands.
Make sure the same person launches the catapult for each trial. After collecting data from 10 trials, analyze your data. Is the data consistent or inconsistent? If needed, conduct more trials.
Keep track of your data using the data record sheet found below.
Be sure to collect data several times (minimum of 10 trials) to get a consistent measure of the maximum distance and maximum height. Use your knowledge of maximum distance to help you when you're testing the maximum height.
When measuring, make sure you know from where on the catapult you are measuring and that your are consistent in your measuring. Be sure to measure in inches. You can use the chalk dust and black paper to better identify where the ping pong ball lands.
Make sure the same person launches the catapult for each trial. After collecting data from 10 trials, analyze your data. Is the data consistent or inconsistent? If needed, conduct more trials.
Keep track of your data using the data record sheet found below.
Phase 4 - Form the Quadratic
Using your vertex and one of your roots, you and your team will create the quadratic function that best models your catapult's parabolic curve written in vertex form. Be sure to define your variables.
Keep track of your steps using the Work for Forming the Quadratic Record.
Keep track of your steps using the Work for Forming the Quadratic Record.
PHASE 5 - HIT THE TARGETS
You and your team need to determine how far away your catapult needs to be placed (using mathematics) in order to hit the following three targets:
- Ground Target (height = 0 inches)
- Wall Target (height = 50 inches)
- Desk Target (height = 29.25 inches)
Phase 6 - Data Interpretation*
*optional phase
You and your team need to:
Note that sketching a graph of your parabola and labeling the axes is strongly encouraged to help you interpret the data correctly.
You and your team need to:
- Describe the transformations that occurred which resulted in the formation of your quadratic model. Then discuss why these transformations make sense.
- Identify and interpret the key features of your quadratic model. Think about what restrictions may apply to this context and if your key features seem reasonable.
Note that sketching a graph of your parabola and labeling the axes is strongly encouraged to help you interpret the data correctly.
PHASE 7 - CATAPULT LAUNCH
You and your team will launch your catapult to hit the following three targets:
Keep track of the points your group scores on each attempt at each target, using the following scoring system: 4 points for a bullseye, 3 points for the section just outside the bullseye, 2 points for the next section, 1 point for the outermost section, and 0 points for not hitting the target.
You will have 6 attempts to hit the target. The best 3 scores will be averaged together to determine your overall score for that target (floor, wall, or desk). Do you think your catapult can beat the competition?
- Ground Target (height = 0 inches)
- Wall Target (height = 50 inches)
- Desk Target (height = 29.25 inches)
Keep track of the points your group scores on each attempt at each target, using the following scoring system: 4 points for a bullseye, 3 points for the section just outside the bullseye, 2 points for the next section, 1 point for the outermost section, and 0 points for not hitting the target.
You will have 6 attempts to hit the target. The best 3 scores will be averaged together to determine your overall score for that target (floor, wall, or desk). Do you think your catapult can beat the competition?