Inventions: Build Your Own Catapult

About the Course

Did you know the idea for the microwave started with a candy bar? Inventor Percy Spencer was standing in front of a magnetron when he noticed his chocolate treat was melting in his pocket. When Spencer held a bag of corn kernels next to the magnetron and they started popping, he knew he was on to something. In this course, we'll explore the principles of invention by focusing on one of history's most exciting creations: the catapult. Students will delve into the history and mechanics of catapults, experimenting with building their own models to understand the science behind this ancient tool. Join us to uncover the magic of invention and apply creative thinking to solve problems just like the great inventors did!

Learning Objectives

Explain the historical significance of catapults and their impact on ancient warfare and engineering, highlighting contributions from diverse cultures
Design, build, and test various models of catapults using both simple and complex machines to understand their mechanics and functionality
Assess and provide constructive feedback on peers’ catapult designs based on collaboratively established criteria for effectiveness and innovation

About Mini courses

Taught over 1-3 sessions, these short survey courses are designed to give students the opportunity to sample a topic, engage with a community of advanced learners, and take a course that suits their busy schedule.

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Requirements

CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.

Identification Details

Grade 3–4

Identification Level

Quantitative - CTY-Level

Coursework Prerequisites None

Dates and Tuition

All CTY courses require you to create an account and confirm Identification Level before enrolling can be completed.

Online

Fall B 2026

Oct 14, 2026 - Oct 28, 2026

$464

You will be asked to join or sign in first.

Days: Every Wed for 3 weeks

Times: 7 - 8:30 p.m. (Eastern time)

Register by: September 15, 2026

Time Commitment:

Important Information

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].

Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (90 minutes of synchronous class time, 1-2 hours of independent work, optional instructor office hour). Course will include 3 sessions over 3 weeks.

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details: https://ctyhelp.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/43000543074. This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Registration Fee and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.

Learn more about Financial Aid

Join Fee $55

If you are not a member of CTY yet, you are required to join before enrolling in a course.

Join CTY

In-Person registration fee $75

Non-refundable fee for in-person courses.

Online Registration Fee $15-$20

Non-refundable fee for online courses.

Science and Engineering

Conduct experiments, design projects, test your ideas, collaborate with peers, and solve problems, with guidance from your instructor every step of the way. 

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