Trebuchet Unit ImagineWe are in Europe during the

Trebuchet Unit

Imagine…We are in Europe during the Dark ages. Spies have just returned from our neighboring country and they have just notified the Queen that Nomads from our neighboring country will be coming across our borders to try and overthrow our Government. The Queen has ordered us to start constructing defense devices which we can use to fortify the borders of our country. As a class we will split up into teams to construct several different types of Trebuchets. We only have limited time, so for the good of the country lets get to work!

Objective: • You are to assume the role of medieval engineers during the unit. • You will need to research, design, simulate, construct, modify, and optimize a Trebuchet. • You must design and create the most accurate and longest throwing trebuchet.

Materials: • Some materials will be provided by the instructor, others may be brought in from home, only after being approved by the instructor.

Guidelines: • Your design must incorporate a lever and a trigger mechanism. • Your final drawings will determine what materials the instructor will allow you to use.

Engineering Log: • Students will maintain an engineering log throughout the entire unit. The log should track student progress, such as accomplishments and setbacks.

Procedure: • Team Names and Logos • Video and Internet Research • Create Sketches – 4 rough sketches person – 1 presentation sketch person • Create 1 Cad (Rhino) Drawing person • Simulate Design using Computer software • Create a List of Materials • Gain approval for Materials • Build your Trebuchet • Trouble Shoot and Optimize your design • Test your Design

Testing • Accuracy: to launch a given object a distance and have it land within a given target area. • Distance: to launch a given object the greatest distance. • Power: to launch a given object towards a blockade to see if it can be knocked down.

Presentations