Calculating with Catapults: Discovering Parabolic Properties
Calculating with catapults is a hands-on activity that gives students the opportunity to become actively involved in their own learning. For this activity, students are asked to work in groups of three to four, create their own catapult using the directions provided in the worksheet below, and conduct an investigation on how launch height affects the distance traveled by the projectile. Once students have created their catapults, they are asked to measure the distance traveled by the projectile using the launch heights given. For each launch height, students are asked to complete five trials to account for human error that will inevitably exist in this project. After all the data has been collected, they will then utilize their graphing calculator to create a quadratic regression that models the distances calculated. This quadratic regression will model the data collected and create a parabola or curve-of-best-fit. From there, students can analyse their data and make connections to mathematical terms such as axis of symmetry, maximum, and turning points.
Creating a hands-on activity allows students to see how mathematical concepts can be used and applied to real-world concepts. Instead of having students take notes on parabolas, this project allows them to create their own parabolas, work cooperatively with their peers, and even draw conclusions about how parabolic motion can be used in the real world. Furthermore, hands-on activities are more memorable for students and help make learning meaningful, thereby increasing students' retention of the information.
Creating a hands-on activity allows students to see how mathematical concepts can be used and applied to real-world concepts. Instead of having students take notes on parabolas, this project allows them to create their own parabolas, work cooperatively with their peers, and even draw conclusions about how parabolic motion can be used in the real world. Furthermore, hands-on activities are more memorable for students and help make learning meaningful, thereby increasing students' retention of the information.
catapults_and_parabolas_presentation.pdf | |
File Size: | 960 kb |
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catapults_and_parabolas_worksheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 387 kb |
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