Calais Science Teacher Ms. Shah recently introduced her students to the concepts of potential and kinetic energies.

Ms. Shah presented her students with a “catapult challenge” to help them understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy. The fun and interactive activity challenged the students in several ways.

First her students had to learn how to design and build a catapult that could successfully launch paper balls. They did some investigating online to research different catapult designs and study how they work. After researching, each class was given limited materials and time to build and test their own catapult designs.

Needless to say the students had a fun time seeing their research and design ideas come to life with actual working catapults.