Algebra 1 Name ____________________________

Project – Catapult Trajectory (Quadratic Functions) – Project Outline Date ___________________ Per ______

Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions)

Project Introduction
To go along with other subjects at Mater Academy gearing you towards STEAM, this project will have you construct a
catapult. Catapults were vital parts of medieval siege warfare and could be used as a somewhat reliable method to
knock down fortifications. In this project, you will construct a catapult with whatever you would like but it has to be
able to launch a gumball (vending machine size). Commonly found household items that can be used are pencils, rulers,
rubber bands, tape, glue, a plastic spoon, and more. You can also buy supplies such as craft sticks, but please keep the
spending to a minimum. Once you have your supplies, you will construct and test your catapult. You will have to find
the parabolic arch of your catapult and create a quadratic function and graph to help aid you with certain tasks at the
end of the project.

This project will be done in groups of 3 (or 4 if there are extra people).

Project Supplies
Household supplies to create the base of the catapult (recommended)
Store bought items to create the base of the catapult (not recommended)
Measuring Tape (highly recommended, but I have yard sticks)

Project Schedule (4 Days)

Day 1
(HOMEWORK: Bring supplies and finish group draft)
1) Brainstorm and Draft – Individually, you will consider the supplies needed to make your catapult. Your will then
sketch a draft of what your catapult will look like, using sketches of actual items (pencil, rubber band, craft stick,
etc).
2) Discuss and Finalize – As a group, discuss each other’s sketches and agree to a design, whether it be a design from a
group member or a newly draft design.
3) List Supplies and Assign – As a group, create a list of needed supplies and assign group members to bring them in.

Day 2 & 3
(Homework: Reflection Part 1 & 2)
1) Construct – With the supplies brought from home, build your catapult. Be sure that your catapult can successfully
launch a marshmallow and water balloon.
2) Test and Measure Max Distance – With a working catapult, test the distance your catapult will launch the
marshmallow. Be sure you test it several times to get a good consistent measure of the max distance. (use inches)
3) Test and Measure Max Height – With a good understanding of the max distance, test the maximum height of the
flight of the gumball. You can measure the height by launching the gumball against a wall and measuring the wall.
Be sure you test it several times to get a good consistent measure of the max height. Once you find the max height,
measure the distance away you are from the wall. (use inches)
4) Form the Quadratic Function – With the roots (distance at 0 and max distance), and with the vertex (distance away
from wall, max height), you will create the quadratic function. Find the amplitude (a) using this formula: y = a(x –
root)(x – root), where the x and y is the coordinates of your vertex. Substitute the amplitude back into the formula
to find the quadratic function. Then simplify the function into standard form.
5) Graph the Function – With your quadratic function, create a parabola.

Day 4
(Homework: Reflection Part 3 & 4)
1) Launch – Take the catapult outside and launch water balloons. We will measure the maximum and the distance of
the water balloons. Film the launch using slow-mo and time-lapse settings.
Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Project Rubric Date ___________________ Per ______

Project Rubric

Your
Category Excellent Good Poor Incomplete Score
Working with Student was an active Student was an active Student cooperated Student did not work
Others group member, partner but had with others, but effectively with
listening to trouble listening to needed prompting to others and/or had
suggestions of others others and/or stay on task. (30 pts) issues with
and working working cooperation. (0 pts)
cooperatively. (60 cooperatively. (45
pts) pts)
Construction Catapult has been Catapult has been Catapult has been Catapult was not
constructed and all constructed and most constructed, but completed (0 pts)
parts are functional parts are functional parts are loose or
at the end of the at the end of the falling apart. (30 pts)
project. (60 pts) project. (45 pts)
Reflection Answers are detailed, Answers are detailed Answers are written Answers are not
Answers written in complete but contain in complete written in complete
sentences with grammatical errors or sentences and are sentences, give little
correct grammar. (60 incomplete grammatically detail, and/or not all
pts) sentences. (45 pts) correct, but are not questions were
detailed. (30 pts) answered, (0 pts)
Quadratic Quadratic function Quadratic function Quadratic function Either the quadratic
Function and was created using the was created using the was created using the function is not
Graph roots and vertex. All roots and vertex. Not roots and vertex. complete or the
work is shown. all work is shown. Either work shown is graph is not
Graph is complete. Graph is complete. missing key parts or complete. (0 pts)
(60 pts) (45 pts) graph is missing key
parts. (30 pts)
Target Goal All target goals met. Most target goals Half of the target Less than half of the
(60 pts) met. (60 pts) goals met. (45 pts) target goals met. (30
pts)

Comments: Total: ________/ 300 points

Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Individual Draft Date ___________________ Per ______

Individual Draft

Directions: Draw a sketch of the catapult that you would like to build. Label the household items you would, as you
make your draft.
Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Group Draft Date ___________________ Per ______

Group Draft

Directions: Draw a sketch of what you group had decided to use. If your group decided to use your draft, then just
write on this side (USING MY DRAFT).

List of Supplies Needed (use another page if you need more space)
Item Assigned to Who
Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Reflection Date ___________________ Per ______

Reflection, Part 1 and 2

Part 1 – Self Assessment

1) After one day of construction, did your group complete the catapult? yes OR no (choose one)
2) If your group did NOT complete the catapult, what were the reasons why your group couldn’t finish? Give
examples.

3) If your group did complete the catapult, what active roles or reasons help steer your group to finish? Give
examples.

Part 2 - Predictions
4) Whether or not your catapult is completed, how far do you think your catapult will launch a marshmallow?
What evidence do you think supports your prediction?

5) Whether or not your catapult is completed, how high do you think your catapult will launch a marshmallow?
What evidence do you think supports your prediction?

6) Whether or not your catapult is completed, talk about how sturdy you built your catapult? What evidence do
you think supports your prediction?

7) Whether or not your catapult is completed, predict if your catapult will consistently maintain the same flight of
the marshmallow after being launched? What evidence do you think supports your prediction?
Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Reflection Date ___________________ Per ______

Reflection, Part 3 and 4

Part 3 – Wrap Up
8) Was your quadratic function able to help you your targets? yes OR no (choose one)
9) If it wasn’t able to help, what factors caused it to be off? Give examples.

10) If it was able to help, what could you have done to improve your catapult’s accuracy?

11) Explain what are real world uses of the roots and height of the quadratic function.

Part 4 – Teamwork
12) Did you and your group work well together? Why or why not?

13) How much effort do you think you put into this project? Explain with examples of what you did or not do?

14) If you had to give YOURSELF a grade on this project, what grade would it be and why?

15) If you had to give YOUR GROUP MEMBERS a grade on this project, what grade would it be and why?
Algebra 1 Name ____________________________
Project – Catapult Project (Quadratic Functions) – Graphing Date ___________________ Per ______

Graphing Worksheet

You can do scratch work on the back of this sheet.