Want to create your own catapult at home AND learn data analytics? If so, you have come to the right spot! With this at-home experiment, you can catapult gummy bears while learning math!
Materials:
Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoon, gummy bears, tape measure
Time Estimated:
30 min
Directions:
Construct two catapults in two different ways using the rubber bands, popsicle sticks, and plastic spoons
Feel free to use other materials and get creative with the catapults!
Take 20 gummy bears and launch 10 of them with catapult 1 and the other 10 with the second catapult
Measure and record the distance of each gummy bear launched
Be sure both catapults are placed in the same position to launch the gummy bears
Record all numbers
You can either do the next steps by hand, or, if you have a computer and access to google drive, you can create a new google sheet.
Write down or type out all of the distances you recorded into two separate columns (one for catapult 1 and the other for catapult 2).
Next, we want to calculate the average distance launched for each catapult. First, add up all the numbers in each column. To do this in google sheets click on an empty box, type =SUM( then click and highlight all the numbers in the first column. Then hit enter; this will add all the numbers for you
Next, divide this number by the how many distances you have in each column. In this case we launched 10 gummy bears, so we divide by 10
In google sheets, click on the box with the sum you just calculated and type /10 to divide by 10
Another way to calculate the average in google sheets is to write =AVERAGE( and highlight the numbers you want to find the average of. This will calculate the average all in one step. Make sure you get the same answer both ways!
Once you have calculated the average for both catapults, think about which catapult is better and how this helped you figure that out.
Think Like A Scientist:
What does “on average” mean? Explain it both in words and mathematically.
Which of your catapults is better? How do you know?
If you were to build a third catapult, what would you change?
How It Works:
It is difficult to draw conclusions from a bunch of data points (or just a bunch of numbers). Calculating the mean, or the average, of your data is a good way to determine which catapult launches gummy bears that farthest most of the time. To find the average, you add every number in your data set and then divide by how many numbers there are. Computer programs like excel or google sheets can calculate the mean for you!
Looking for more fun at home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities!
