How to Make a Catapult From Styrofoam Blocks for a Physics Project
- 1). Arrange your Styrofoam blocks into the shape of the base of your catapult, about 4 inches thick and as wide and long as you desire. Cut through the foam pieces with a bread knife and adhere them together with glue. Save any scrap pieces of Styrofoam to use as ammunition in your catapult when it's complete.
- 2). Glue two clothespins together, stacking them on their skinny sides. Glue the clothespins in the center of the Styrofoam base.
- 3). Tie a rubber band around the top prong of the clothespin tower. Place the handle of a plastic spoon underneath the rubber band, so that the rest of the utensil is extending in the air.
- 4). Place a piece of Styrofoam in the spoon. Pull back on the utensil and let it go to send the object flying. Try placing ammunition of different weights in the catapult -- such as peas, beads and coins -- to see what travels the farthest. Move the spoon back and forth up the clothespins to adjust how far the catapult can send objects in the air.