Sunday, November 18 North Concourse, Centennial Building, Fair Park 2:30PM Sunday - Grades 6-8 4:30PM Sunday - Grades 9-10 6:30PM Sunday - Grades 11-12 [Grade Groups Do Apply] ["Contestant" is defined as either an individual or a team of up to four students] (Back to Competitions)

Overview of the Competition

This year’s event will focus on precision. Contestants will have two launches. The distance from the bull’s eye from each launch will be added together. This sum will constitute the contestant’s score.

Construction

(1) The contestant must build a catapult that will propel a standard tennis ball 15 meters to a target. The tennis ball will be supplied by the judges.

(2) The emphasis in this event is placed on the contestant's construction of a device that can precisely aim and propel a tennis ball 15 meters. Contestants are permitted to use laser-sighting devices.

(3) The target will be a bull’s eye placed flat on the floor. The center of the target will be exactly 15 meters from the launch line.

(4) Contestants will be allowed to place their catapults precisely at the edge of the launch line, but not on top of the launch line.

(5) Contestants will be allowed to make two launches. Misfires, as determined by the site judges, will not constitute a “launch".
Catapult Construction

(1) The catapult, when “cocked” and prepared for launch, must totally fit within a cube one meter on each side.

(2) The safety of the contestant and the audience is our primary concern. The judges prior to the competition will disqualify any catapult that appears unsafe or uncontrollable. No launch will be made from an unsafe device.

(3) Springs, elastic devices, pistons, or motors can power the catapult. No rockets or explosives can be used.

(4) The catapult should provide some leeway to accommodate the size of a standard tennis ball.

(5) The catapult should be of sufficient mass to ensure that it remains behind the launch line after the projectile has been launched. The catapult will be disqualified if it crosses or moves into the launch line.

(6) Sling-shot-type devices are not defined as a "catapult” within the confines of this competition.
Practice Shots

Contestants will have a Practice Site that will be separate but relatively identical to the Contest Site. The Practice Site will be used for making adjustments to a contestant’s catapult. The Contest Site will only be used for the competition.

Contestants may make a reasonable number of launches at the Practice Site, based on the time available before the competition.

Contestants will be supervised by a Winston Science Staff Member
Judging

(1) The judges will measure the distance from the bull’s eye to the tennis ball’s first point of contact with the floor.

(2) A contestant will make two launches. The sum of the distances from both launches will constitute the contestant’s score.

(3) The winner will be the contestant with the lowest score, assuming that the contestant has met all the other competition requirements.

For additional information about Winston Science, contact Dr. Lehman Marks, Event Director. Copyright (c) 2007 Lehman Marks/The Winston School. All Rights Reserved.