Ancient Engineering SeriesCatapult Kits
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Torsion and Tension Catapult Plans CD


This CD includes plans for a variety of torsion and tension catapults and more! Including:

The Greek BallistaThis model is 41 inches long, 24 inches wide and stands 31 inches tall. The ballista uses a pair of skeins (bundles of twisted rope) for power. Similar to the working of a crossbow, the Ballista actually preceded the crossbow in western culture by over a thousand years.

The Mighty Roman OnagerAlso known as a Mangonel, this model is 16" long, 12" high and 8" wide. This historically accurate, compact and portable catapult uses the exact same principles as the ancient Roman war machines.
Petraria ArcatinusPowered by a steel bow, this is the catapult you've seen in ancient drawings and Hollywood movies, but with a difference... This one really works! This model is 18 inches long and 10 inches wide. The arm reaches 18 inches high at rest.
Scorpion IIThe completed model is 18 inches long and 9 inches wide. The arm is 28 inches long. The Scorpion II main fulcrum is attached to an aluminum linkage for smoother action and a more dynamic arm tip movement.

And the new Rat-trap Spoon-a-pult!
Designed to be easy to build using simple household items and common tools like pliers and a hammer, and using a Rat Trap for power (available at most hardware stores). Great for school science experiments!

This disk also includes these additional manuscripts:
  • Historical conjecture on the Petraria concept
  • Useful information on scaling
  • Safety notes on working with wood
  • and more!

Tools you will need:
For all projects (except for the rat-trap model) you will need a table saw, drill press, screwdrivers, carpenter's square, scissors, needle-nose pliers (for the petraria) and if you have a router, that would be useful too. But these can be made without a router.


BONUS MATERIAL!
Our two highly popular e-books are also included:
The Projectile Throwing Engines of the Ancients, By Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey
And
Catapult Design, Construction and Competition. By Dr. Bernard F. Barcio

$29.95
Our Price: $8.95
Buy Now or Add To Cart

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    Price: $29.95
    Our Price: $8.95
    Minimum age: 8
    Availability: In stock.

    Buy Now or Add To Cart
    Item code: 99014

Notes:
Why should a kid
build a catapult?

Because the world needs good engineers and scientists, and because the kids who will grow up to become engineers and scientists need a way to get hands-on experience with physics, math and engineering.

In this age of 200-plus channels of TV, the Internet and computer games, kids are also spending far less time building tree houses, tinkering with engines, or designing downhill racers. We believe those are important skills to have. They help form the basis for good problem solving skills and an innate understanding of the real, physical world that you just can't get from a computer game, no matter how good its physics simulation software is.

Ballistic motion was one of the key players in the development of the science of physics. The word "engineer" even originated as the builders and designer of Siege Engines

Why is a budding engineering student expected to take a year or two of calculus in high school, but she isn't expected to have any real-world experience in building or working with machines and materials? Pencil and paper (or computer screens) are only one part of the learning experience. Where will she apply all of the stuff she learned in geometry and trig? Without physical projects to touch, feel and see, the lessons become abstract, their utility questionable.

A catapult project gives students a chance to see that science and engineering really can be fun, and it's a lot more than just numbers on paper. The real payoff for an engineer is in the field, where she can see and enjoy the results of her ingenuity. And it may seem counterintuitive, but engineering projects not only help kids learn math and science, they are also great at getting kids back outdoors, away from the massive over-exposure to video games, TV and the Internet.

Why all this interest in getting kids to study science and engineering? Because it's important to our society, and it's great mental cross training regardless of what field of work the kids eventually go into. Most people develop a sense for what they want to do in life while they are still in high school or even earlier. A catapult project is fun and interesting enough to inspire some kids to study the science behind how they work, and then go on to become the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.