Trebuchet With Paint Sticks
Introduction: Trebuchet With Paint Sticks
Project Intro
In this instructable, I will be going over how to make a trebuchet mainly out of paint sticks. This project is aimed towards high school students but high school teachers can also use this instructable to plan a lesson
Learning objectives
Students will be able to comprehend and create a working trebuchet after going through this instructable.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge of making a trebuchet to modify and change the original design.
STELs:
Standards
* Design in Technology & Engineering Education:
Making a trebuchet is an iterative process. You can follow my steps to get to the same conclusion as me, but you can also take it a step farther and modify different parts to see how it changes how the projectile is thrown. You could use a different object for the projectile, change the weight of the counterweight, change the pouch/carrier for the projectile, or even change the lever or frame sizes.
* History of Technology
Trebuchets help define history and can be used to teach students about the history trebuchets were involved in and deepen their understanding of the past. Students could learn what technologies influenced and where influenced by the trebuchet. They can also review the positive and negative impacts that trebuchets created.
Practices
* Creativity
Students can use different materials to make the trebuchet. They can modify and improve the original design to see if they can make the projectile go higher, farther, etc. 74
By doing this, students will fail at times but they will be able to learn from the failure and use it to succeed.
* Making and Doing
Students will follow the guide to make the trebuchet and then they will physically make it. If students choose to modify the design after completing it, they can plan out what they will do first and then act out their plan.
Contexts
* Built Environment:
Structures are used by humans in everyday life and serve different purposes. Depending on the structure, different systems can be utilized to support it. For the trebuchet, the base provides stability for the structure when sending the projectile. The lever and axel allow movement in such a way that will launch the projectile.
* Material Conversion and Processing
This context involves the physical creation of things. In this instructable, you will use paint sticks, wood, glue, rope, and more to create a trebuchet. Students could use this project to learn about how the materials used were made, like wood, glue, and rope.
Step 1: Materials and Supplies
You will need the following supplies
* 11 Paint sticks (1 foot long) ($2.00) https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gal-Paint-Mixing-Cra...
* 3/8'' Wooden dowel rod (about $1.00)
* Rope (1/8'' braided nylon rope) ($6.59) https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/...
* Wood glue ($3.97)
* Scissors ($1.88)
* Clamps (small ones can be bought for $1.00)
* Duct tape ($4.98)
* Ruler/measuring tape ($4.00)
* Breeching snap (2-1/2 inches) ($1.59) https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/...
* Eyebolt with nut (3/16x2'') ($1.59) https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/...
* Coins (87 pennies, 23 nickels, 38 dimes, 74 quarters, total cost is $24.32)
* Hole punch($3.11)
* Sharpie/marker (can be bought for $8.54 as a 12 pack)
* Lighter ($1.99)
* Paper towels ($5.99)
* Work gloves ($2.99)
* Safety glasses ($1.79)
* Luggage scale ($3.25)
* Pencil/Pen
* Table saw (or a saw) ($159.99)
* Drill press (or a drill) ($74.99)
* Counterweight container (Pillsbury storage container, holds 16.8 fluid ounces) ($1.00)
* Miscellaneous heavy items (textbooks, unopened queso, duct tape) -> for applying pressure
Washers ( I found these at my house so I had to measure them out myself )
* 1 washer- (outer diameter is 1 inch, inner diameter is 7/16 inches) ($0. 401