Science Smarts: No-mess mini ‘snowballs’

By Patty Rooks on January 11, 2025.

What is more fun than throwing snowballs in the winter? I do not know, but one thing I do know is you cannot do it inside. So I came up with an activity that will be just as fun as throwing snowballs; we are going to launch mini “snowballs” without the mess! Let’s get started.
*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.
Materials
– Large popsicle sticks (the kind that look like tongue depressors at the doctor’s office)
– Rubber band
– Empty water bottle lid
– Double sided tape or glue
– Mini marshmallows
– Science helper
Procedure
1. Take eight of the popsicle sticks, line them up/stack them and put a rubber band on each end to hold them securely together.
2. This time, take two popsicle sticks, stack them on top of each other and place a rubber band just on one end. Make sure it is tight and secure.
3. Slide the large stack of popsicle sticks in between the two sticks. You will make a cross looking design. Secure in place with a rubber band.
4. Using the double sided tape, tape the empty water bottle lid on the opposite end of the two popsicle sticks; the end that is sticking in the air. You are making a basket to hold your items.
5. Place a mini marshmallow in the lid.
6. Using your finger, gently pull the popsicle stick back and gently release.
7. Observe what happens.
8. Have your science helper make one as well and see who can shoot the most “snowballs” the farthest.
9. Modify your catapult to see if your design makes a difference on how far you can launch the mini marshmallows.
What is going on?
In this experiment, you made a simple catapult. When you push down on the popsicle stick, it is bending and you are providing it with energy. When the popsicle stick is released, the energy is also released, transferring it to the object in the “basket”. The harder you push down, the more force you are using and the object will go further.
Patty Rooks, senior scientific consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at [email protected], http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: 12 826 11th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: [email protected].

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