Trebuchets, Catapults, and Measuring Projectile Motion in 8th Grade Algebra with Dr. Jen Phelps
Over the past two months, 8th graders in Dr. Jen Phelps’ Algebra classes have been immersed in a hands-on capstone project exploring projectile motion. In this multi-phase project, students were first challenged with designing a functional mechanism that could launch small objects into the air. After creating their mechanisms, they spent a class period launching their objects and filming the parabolic path of each. They then used the recordings to collect the necessary data from each launch—like height and time—to create a quadratic equation that represented the projectile motion of each object! Throughout this process, students were required to use their math skills to accurately build a mechanism, conduct trials to test effectiveness and make improvements, analyze and graph data, and formulate equations based on their results.
With immediate interest in the fact that they will get to launch items from homemade mechanisms, the first step in the process was for the students to determine what they were going to make and how to build it. Students came up with a range of different options including trebuchets, catapults, and slingshots. Whether through hammer and nail or 3D printer, students planned and constructed their own designs. Jen chose one item for all groups to launch (water balloons), but the groups were responsible for determining two other items to launch; these ranged from cupcakes, to canned seltzer, to pineapples, to cartoon figures.
During the launch day, students were tasked with filming the flights of their objects. Later, they used these recordings to take data measurements from the parabola they filmed in order to collect the height vs. time data necessary to be able to analyze the projectile motion and form their equations.
With some checkpoints along the way in the form of write-ups, the 8th grade groups worked independently through each step of the process, monitoring their own progress and collaborating on the different steps needed to execute their designs well and on time. This type of multifaceted project fuels creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning, while at the same time, equips the 8th graders with the skills they will need to navigate high school academics.
The 8th graders are currently completing the final phases of their project, which involve comparing the different models and tools used to formulate their equations and writing a report that details their mathematical processes and results.
Located in College Park, MD, Friends Community School is a progressive Quaker K-8 day school, founded on the belief that every child is a valued member of our community. We offer a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage.
Friends Community School
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100
5901 Westchester Park Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740
301-441-2100
