Operation Try & Fly

Students are required to use at least two materials, but not all are mandatory.

• 1 plastic cup

• 1 army figure

• 1 plastic spoon

• 6 popsicle sticks

• 2 rubber bands

• 2 ft. string

• 2 ft. masking tape

• Ruler

• Measuring tape

Objective: Use the materials to design a launcher that sends the army figure as far as possible.

Divide into teams of 2-3 and distribute materials accordingly. 

1. Allow time for teams to design and build their launcher.

2. Launch from a starting line on one end of the classroom, hallway or outside.

3. Launch from a starting line on one end of the classroom, hallway or outside.

• Encourage students to iterate on their design for greater distance.

• Discover the physics terms related to this activity, e.g. force, velocity, projectile motion and angle.

• Add an accuracy challenge: Use a hula hoop or tape to create a circle on the ground. See which teams’ launchers are best at landing their army figure in the circle.