Coaster Catapult Physics
A highly controlled, low-impact physics game where players use a spoon or knife to launch a cardboard coaster into a designated target (like a water glass base).
- Takes
- 20 min
- Your setup
- 2 min prep
- Ages
- Ages 8–14
- Mess
- No mess
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Indoors
How to do it
- 1Place the spoon or knife on the table edge, balancing a coaster near the handle.
- 2The goal is to gently tap the end of the spoon/knife (the lever) to launch the coaster toward a target.
- 3Discuss how changing the lever length (moving the spoon closer to the edge) affects the force and distance of the launch.
- 4Score points based on proximity to the target. Ensure taps are silent and the coaster stays on the table surface.
What they're practising
- Kinetic Energy
- Trajectory Planning
- Aim and Accuracy
- Controlled Experimentation