HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Burton
Communications Director
Paris, TN – Physical Science students catapulted marbles down the hallway at Henry County High School, testing Newton’s 3rd law that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Students built their own catapults with cardboard, straws, rubber bands, and string, using a marble as the object to hurl towards the opposite end of the hallway.
Student Anaya Nolan explains, “When you cut the string, the rubber band exerts force and pushes the marble forward and the catapult is pulled backwards, and it shows how forces result from interactions.” Teacher Leah Nolen likes to use hands-on instruction because it allows opportunities for students to experiment and test Newton’s Laws of Motion. She also understands how important it is to allow students to work together as a team, communicating ideas and encouraging one another to do their best.
The experiments are always fun competitions as students learn how rubber band placement affects the velocity of the marble and how modifications of the catapult affect the aim and distance of the marble. Two teams were able to launch their marbles to the other end of the hallway which earned them treats and bragging rights until the next competition!
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Photo: Shamya Johnson sets up her catapult as the reigning champs, Chase Adams and Jimmy Minton, look on.