Summer Beach Ball Catapult STEM Engineering Science Experiment Challenge

SUMMER themed science can be super fun!
In this activity students learn what a catapult is and what it was used for, then are challenged to build one themselves. Students use a variety of materials to build a catapult to launch a beach ball (ping pong ball colored like a beach ball with a sharpie)! It can be a great addition to a simple machines unit. Two versions are included: one where they launch the beach ball as far as possible and one where they try to land it on a target.

Students LOVE this project...and the beach balls do not go very far so it can be done in a smallish space. :) This is a great activity to do before summer to focus enthusiastic students!
Enjoy!

Check out more science for all holidays!
HOLIDAY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS BUNDLE: Inquiry for all seasons!

Holidays are a great time to keep students engaged with science!
Winter Science:
Christmas Science Inquiry force experiment-Newton's 3rd law- balloon rockets
Holiday Christmas December Science Dissolve a Candy Cane with Scientific Method
Winter Scientific Method Inquiry- What substance will melt ice most effectively?
Holiday Candy Density Experiment! Measure & Calculate w/ a Christmas twist!
Frozen in ICE!!! Save a character in a Winter Ice Melt Scientific Method Inquiry

Try this one Valentines Day!
Valentines Day Science Dissolve a Candy Heart using the Scientific Method