How to Make a Tiny Rubber Band and Popsicle Stick Powered Catapault
A catapult consists of an arm and a base. The arm is pulled back, the rubber band provides tension, and when it is released, a projectile is launched. Make your own tiny catapult powered by a rubber band and Popsicle sticks. Use the catapult to create your own table top catapult games or amuse your friends.
Things You'll Need
- Large rubber band 2 1/2-inch diameter
- Scissors
- 10 wooden Popsicle sticks
- Heavy duty shears
- Masking tape
- Paper
Instructions
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Assemble the Catapult
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1
Cut the Popsicle sticks with a pair of heavy duty shears. Cut four 2-inch long sections of Popsicle stick. Cut six 4-inch long sections out of the Popsicle sticks. Trim off the rounded ends. Cut one 3-inch long piece and leave one end round. Cut one 4-inch long section and leave one end round.
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2
Create the frame for the catapult. Set down two 4-inch sticks and two 2-inch long sticks and assemble them into a rectangle with the 2-inch sticks on the ends and the 4-inch sticks on the top and bottom of the rectangle. Tip the sticks up onto their sides and tape them together at the corners of the rectangle with masking tape.
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3
Cut another 2-inch piece of Popsicle stick to begin making a holding slot for the catapult arm post. Place the stick on the inside of the rectangle frame, on the short right side. Tape the edges of the stick to the corners of the frame. Do not tape the entire stick to the frame, as you need a gap between the frame end and the stick for the catapult arm post to be inserted.
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4
Cut the large rubber band apart with a pair of scissors. Tape the end of the cut rubber band onto the round end of the 3-inch Popsicle stick with masking tape to make the post and tension strap for the catapult arm. Wrap the tape around the stick to firmly affix the rubber band to the stick. Insert the straight cut end of the rubber band stick into the holding slot on the rectangular frame.
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5
Make the top cover for the frame of the catapult by laying two of the 4-inch pieces side by side; align their ends and tape them together with masking tape. Tape two more 4-inch pieces together in the same manner. Position the taped together 4-inch sticks on the top and bottom sides of the rectangle frame with the long edges of one of the sticks resting on the long side of the frame, the short ends resting on the short ends of the frame and a gap for the arm post to fit in between them. Tape the corners of the taped together sticks to the corners of the frame.
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6
Create the hinge for the arm by cutting four 2-inch pieces of tape and stacking the pieces of tape together. Tape the first piece of tape on down on your workspace with the edge hanging off the side. Tape the other pieces of tape right on top of it to make a stack of tape. Remove the tape from the table. Cut it in half lengthwise.
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7
Tape the first half of stack of tape, 1-inch onto the straight end of the 4-inch stick with a round end. Tape the other half of the stack of tape, 1-inch in from the straight end, on the other side of the stick. Press the two halves of the tape stacks together to make the hinge of your catapult arm. Wrap tape around the 1-inch sections of the tape stacks that are on the Popsicle stick three times.
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8
Place the catapult arm with round end facing out and the tape stacks of the hinge facing down in the central gap made by the cover of the catapult frame. Move the hinged end of the arm over to the rubber band post and bend the other 1-inch section of the tape stacks up on the rubber band post of the catapult. Hold the tape hinge so that its bottom fold rests just above the top of the catapult frame cover on the rubber band post. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the taped stack and the rubber band post of the catapult; leave enough space on the bend part of the tape to allow it to move like a hinge.
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9
Move the arm up and down to ensure that it moves freely. Tape the free end of the rubber band to the catapult arm, with the arm resting at a 45-degree angle.
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10
Make a basket for the catapult by cutting a 2-inch square piece of paper. Fold and crease, then unfold each side of the paper, 1/2-inch in on each side. Cut one slit on each side on the crease, leading from the edge to where it connects with another crease to create folding tabs for the box. Fold up the sides and interlock the tabs to make a square basket and tape it together. Tape the bottom of the basket to the catapult arm, 1/2-inch below the rounded end to finish making your tiny catapult.
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