Pumpkin Catapult STEM Challenge: Build It, Measure It, Write It!

Course Summary

In this hands-on fall-themed STEM and writing class, kids will build their own mini catapult to launch candy pumpkins through the air—then use descriptive writing to tell the story of their experiment! Students will explore force, motion, and creativity as they measure flight distances, record results, and write a short “Pumpkin Launch Report.” It’s the perfect blend of science, engineering, and literacy for curious kids who love to build and create!

Course Description

Ready, aim… launch! In this action-packed STEM and writing class, students will design and build a mini catapult to send candy pumpkins soaring through the air. Along the way, they’ll explore force, motion, and simple machines (levers) while learning to write clear, creative, and descriptive explanations of their experiments. After constructing and testing their catapults, learners will shift gears into writing mode — crafting a short STEM Journal Entry that describes how their catapult works, what they observed, and how they improved their design. We’ll focus on sequencing words, adjectives, and strong verbs to make writing about science both fun and meaningful! By the end of class, every student will have a functioning catapult, recorded test results, and a creative writing piece describing their flying pumpkin’s adventure. 🎯 Learning Goals Students will: - Explore how levers work as simple machines. - Measure and record flight distances accurately. - Write a procedural paper about their design using vivid language. - Reflect on their results and improvements in clear, organized writing. *All writing will be done in class — no homework required. *Great for siblings to experiment and compare results together!

Content Considerations

We will be using rubber bands for launching devices. Students will be instructed not to aim at faces or breakables. Please supervise your student if you have any safety concerns.

Syllabus

Part 1: Intro & Discussion - What is a lever? How does a catapult use force and motion? - Show a simple example and brainstorm safety tips. Part 2: Build & Test - Students follow step-by-step instructions to build their catapult. - They launch candy pumpkins or pom-poms, measure distances, and record results. Part 3: Write & Reflect Students complete a short “Pumpkin Launch Report” including: - Step sequence (First, Next, Then, Finally…) - Descriptive adjectives (stretchy, strong, speedy, soaring) - Results and improvements Part 4: Share & Wrap-Up - Optional sharing time — read a sentence or two aloud! - Conclude with encouragement and celebration of both science and creativity.

Supplies

- 6–8 craft sticks - 2–3 rubber bands - 1 plastic spoon - 1 candy pumpkin (or pom-pom / small marshmallow) - Ruler or measuring tape - Paper & pencil for writing portion _ Open Space for Launching Optional: small paper cup for target