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Lesson 4: Launch It! (Catapults) Focus Question: How can we store energy to launch an object? Materials: Popsicle sticks (6-8 per group), rubber bands, a bottle cap or plastic spoon, a small pom-pom or screwed-up piece of paper to launch. Beginner (5 mins): Energy in Action Activity: "Watch the linked video of a catapult. 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM0I6MsVmn8 "What two simple machines do you think are working together in this invention?" use the or to create a simple catapult, then use the to explain what two simple machines are working together. Main Activity (35 mins): Catapult Creations "Today's engineering challenge is to build a catapult that uses a lever arm and stored energy (from the rubber bands) to launch an object." Stack 5-6 popsicle sticks together and wrap a rubber band tightly around each end. Make the lever arm by stacking two popsicle sticks and wrapping a rubber band around one end. Slide the stack of 5 sticks in between the two sticks of the lever arm. Secure the lever arm to the main stack with another rubber band in a cross-shape. Glue or tape your bottle cap to the end of the lever arm to hold your projectile. Exit Slip (10 mins): Launch Zone Activity: "Post of your catapult launching your pom-pom! Then, use the microphone tool 🎤 to explain what you would change to make it launch further next time."