Testing the Xpult

5th Graders have been working hard using the Xpult in December. Students are collecting data by testing 4 different variables; the launch angle, number of rubber bands, the pull back angle, and the kind of ping pong ball.  After graphing the data and doing the testing in the science room and maker space, students will take the Xpult challenge and land a ping pong ball 10 straight times into a bucket in the center of the room. What a great way to study kinetic energy, potential energy, and engineering.  Students are looking forward to the competitions in the next few weeks.

What if students were in charge of their assessment?

Fifth Graders spend their last day before winter break taking the Xpult Challenge.  Teams were set up in a bracket and competed against one another for two minutes.  During this time the bucket was moved in different spots and each team needed to adjust the variables of the Xpult to launch the ball into the bucket.  The team with the most baskets in a two minute period advanced to the next round.  Each student in the class performed a role such as timer, scorer, recorder, retriever, launcher, and cheerleader.  This competition was a great way to assess what the students learned over the last month in science. What an awesome way to test students on what they learned in science.

you can find the Xpult at Xpult.com

Testing the Excellent Xpult

Students in fifth grade are beginning to test the Xpult in class. Students are testing four different variables: launch angle, pull back angle. kind of ball, and # of rubber bands. We will take all the data we collect and graph it on the computer. The data will help us use the Xpult with more precision when we take the Xpult Challenge. Students must be sure to keep all variables constant to make sure their results are accurate.

We have discussed the following scientific concepts in science in the last week:

Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Third Class Lever

The Xpult is a useful device to teach about these scientific concepts and helps the students to become more precise and patient scientists.

Xpult Challenge – December Madness

Fifth graders participated in an Xpult Challenge Tournament in class today.   Each team pair competing in an eight team bracket to find who could score the most shots into the bucket during a two minute period.   The bucket was moved periodically to challenge each team to adjust the variables in the middle of the competition.  A number of students seemed to really understand how to control the four different variables to get the ball into the bucket consistently.    This was a great project during the week before winter break.   All the students’ energy was harnessed in a positive way and demonstrated how much they learned in our study of simple machines and manipulating variables on the Xpult.

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Graphing Xpult Data

Fifth Grade students have been working hard this week graphing the data we have collected in class.  We have been investigating the different launch angles, pull back angles, number of rubber bands. and the kind of ball launched.   We are looking forward to the Xpult Challenge.  Students will be able to manipulate the variables to hit the bucket target in the middle of the room.  Our first student scored 10  out of 10 shots in the challenge this week!

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Testing the Xpult

5th grade students have been studying simple machines and levers in science.  Students have spent this week testing four different variables on the Xpult, which is a catapult that can hit a precise target.    The class is looking at the launch angle, pull back angle, # of rubber bands, and the type of ball. Students worked in groups taking accurate data that will be graphed next week.   In December, students will be taking the Xpult Challenge and will shoot a ball into a bucket in the middle of the room.  They will try to get ten out of ten shots into the bucket by adjusting each variable.    The Xpult is a great way to illustrate the difference between kinetic and potential energy.

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Happy Holidays

Each fifth grade section competed in an Xpult Tournemant today.  Students were given two minutes to get as many shots in the bucket with the Xpult.  The bucket was moved every 30 seconds.  Students had to adjust the pull back angle, launch angle, # of rubber bands, and kind of ball.   We had champions from each sections of 5th grade.   The students would like to have a challenge in the new year to find the Shipley 5th grade winner for the whole grade.

Today was a great day at school.   Everyone have a safe, restful, and happy holiday.  Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year.

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Taking the Xpult Challenge

5th grade students have been taking lots of data for the Xpult.  We examined four different variables on the catapult.  Students looked at the launch angle, pull back angle, # of rubber bands, and kind of ball.  This week many students took the Xpult Challenge.  Each student manipulated the precise variables on the Xpult to shoot 10 straight shots into a bucket 3 meters away.

 

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