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Building a launcher can be a blast. It can also be a toss, kick or ram. There are many ways to design and engineer your launcher; many ways to make a ping pong ball or marshmallow fly.
A good projectile launcher is able to shoot with precision and accuracy. It should be able to change one variable at a time, utilizing scientific and engineering methods to hit the target. This activity allows you to create a launcher that does all of these things, and more.
Educational Goals for this Product
What tools will you need to do this activity?
Process | Process Description | Recommended Tool | Alternate Tool |
Cutting | Cutting dowels, strips, recycling bin items, etc. | Saw, Pruning Shears | |
Reaming | Change splined holes in components from press fit (dowels press and stay) to loose fit (dowels are able to slide and rotate). | #3 Drill Bit and Drill | |
Screwing | Tighten and loosen screws | None | |
Holding and Pulling | Hold nuts, pull apart components | None |
Sets of tools can be found here.
Make your Launcher even better by incorporating recycling bin material.
What's in the Ping-Pong Ball / Projectile Launcher Activity?
Component: | Adv 10pk Quantity: | ||
Connector Strips | 40 | ||
Perpendicular Blocks | 80 | ||
1.5” Screws | 20 | ||
1" Screws | 100 | ||
300mm Slide-Stop Material | 3 | ||
Rubber Bands | 100 | ||
Dowels | 60 | ||
Hole Plates | 20 | ||
Stop Clips | 40 | ||
Hex Nuts | 100 | ||
Angle Brackets | 20 | ||
3" Steel Wire | 10 | ||
Locking Hex Nuts | 20 | ||
Galvanized Wire | 1 |
This is an educational product and not a toy. It is intended for use by ages 9 and above with adult supervision.