Shore Road School’s Shining Star Leaders are utilizing collaboration, physics and engineering to craft a functional catapult made of household materials.

Groups of fifth graders in Kristen McLeod’s class are being challenged to use only popsicle sticks, tape, carboard and a spoon to design and build a catapult that will have a farther launch than their competitor’s. To start the multi-day STEM-themed challenge, students met in groups to brainstorm a design that can be brought into reality. Teammates contributed and listened to ideas as they reached a final design. While continuing to innovate as they build, groups went through trial and error to find a functional working solution. Groups then had an exciting face-off, launching a ping pong ball off their catapult’s spoon to see whose went the farthest.