Challenge One: Create your animal model

Remember to check with an adult before using any materials. 

1. Use your imagination and available materials to make an animal that you’ll use for the other two challenges.  Here are some ideas to get you started:
   • Wrap pipe cleaners together to form the shape of your animal.
   • Crumple, roll or fold paper origami-style to create your animal.
   • Cut out pieces of cardboard and tape them together to form your animal.
   • Don’t forget to use markers or colored pencils to decorate your animal.
2. Questions to consider when building your animal:
   • Do your animal’s parts stay in place when you move it? Flapping parts may change how your animal moves through the air. You also want it to be sturdy so it to stays together when you launch it and when it lands. 
   • How heavy does your animal feel when you hold it in your hand?  If it’s too heavy, it will be harder to launch.  If it’s too light, it might have a hard time moving through the air.  If you think your animal is too light, you can tape paper clips to it.
   • How is the weight balanced?  The placement of weight may affect how your animal moves through the air.  You can test different weight placements (like making the front or back heavier) to see how that changes the results.
   • What is the shape and size of your animal?  Small, compact animals may work better for moving through the air.  The size of your animal will also help determine the size of your launcher.
   • Are you ready for the challenge?

1. Use available materials to design and build a launcher to make your animal jump.  The launcher must be built to be placed on and used from the floor. You may want to sketch designs on a piece of paper before you start building.  Here are some ideas to get you started:
   •  A lever may be useful to launch your animal.  A seesaw is an example of a lever.  A ruler may make a good lever for your launcher.  Where you place the center of balance (fulcrum), as well as the length of your lever, may change how far your animal travels. 
   • Rubber bands may be helpful in building a launcher.  You can use them to release their stored energy and send your animal jumping!  We’d suggest attaching rubber bands to a base.  The angle (how steep you make your base) will help determine how far your animal travels.
   • A plastic spoon can also have stored energy if you bend it.  A plastic spoon would also need to be attached to a base.  Maybe a bent spoon launcher designed like a catapult would send your animal a long distance? The angle (how steep you make your base) will help determine how far your animal travels.
2. Questions to consider when building your launcher:
   • Is your launcher designed to hold your animal?  For the animal to successfully launch, it must be placed in a position to take full advantage of the launcher’s capabilities. The part of the launcher that the animal rests on must be the correct size.  If this part is too small, it may not support the animal through the entire motion needed to send the animal sky bound.  The part of the launcher where the animal rests can be designed so that the animal is placed on top of it or inside it.
   • How will you set the launcher in motion?  You will need to make sure that your animal is set and ready before launching it.  Your hand may be used to hold the launching part in place.  You can get creative and come up with other ways to keep the launcher ready so you can use both hands to load the animal.
   • Is your launcher  sturdy?  Will it hold together for multiple tests?  You’ll need to test your launcher many times and maybe even modify it to make your animal go further.  Extra tape may be needed to keep your launcher sturdy.  If you use glue to make your launcher, make sure the glue is dry before testing it.
   • Are you feeling ready for the fun part of the challenge?

Challenge Three: Accuracy Test

Use available materials to design an animal themed target for your animal to land on.  Remember to check with a grownup before using any materials and before launching your animal. Always point your launcher in a safe direction away from people and pets.