Experiment: Launching Pokedolls in a STEM-based Competition
In the spirit of combining fun and learning, children can now construct their very own Pokémon catapult to investigate the effects of various variables on projectile motion. This hands-on STEM challenge, using household items like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a spoon, promises an engaging and educational experience.
**Creating Your Pokémon Catapult**
To begin, stack four jumbo popsicle sticks and wrap a rubber band tightly around one end to create the base. Secure a plastic spoon to the end of one popsicle stick using two rubber bands; this spoon will act as the launching arm. Attach this spoon stick to another popsicle stick at one end using a rubber band to form the lever arm. Slide the base stack between the two sticks to create tension in the lever arm. Place your projectile (e.g., a Pokémon figure or a small ball) on the spoon, pull back the lever to stretch the rubber bands, and release to launch.
**Investigating the Effects of Variables**
Once your catapult is built, it's time to experiment! Change the angle at which you position the catapult arm before release to observe the impact on the projectile's trajectory and distance. Vary how far you pull the spoon back to increase or decrease tension in the rubber band and thus the launching force. Use objects of different weights to see how mass influences the distance travelled. Even the rubber bands themselves can be swapped out to vary the force applied.
**Measuring and Recording Results**
To analyze patterns and understand the physics of projectile motion, measure and record the distance travelled for different settings. This will help you understand how increasing angle affects height and range, or how force impacts speed and distance.
This Pokémon catapult project integrates physics concepts like energy, force, angle, and projectile motion in a fun and engaging way. It encourages systematic investigation by changing one variable at a time and observing the effects, which is a fundamental scientific method.
**Additional Challenges**
If desired, incorporate worksheets or data tables to help students organize results and graph relationships between variables, deepening the STEM learning experience. For those who wish to explore further, additional Pokémon-themed STEM challenges are available, including Pokémon grid art, a Pokeball challenge, a DIY Pokémon Evolution toy, and designing and creating a Pokémon habitat.
**Updating the Article**
This article was last updated on July 17, 2025, by Emma Vanstone. The Pokémon catapult continues to be a popular and educational tool for children, promoting an understanding of physics concepts in a fun and engaging manner.
- Children can delve deeper into the principles of physics by conducting research on the changes in distance, angle, tension, and mass during the catapult investigation, as part of their stem education in education-and-self-development.
- By recording and measuring their observations, children can reinforce their understanding of projectile motion concepts, such as energy, force, angle, and mass, while improving their stem-education skills through self-directed learning.
- The Pokémon-themed catapult project is a valuable resource in the realm of stem education, encouraging hands-on, experimental learning and the application of scientific methods, preparing children for future scientific inquiries.
