PathFinders: Leonardo da Vinci Catapult - Ages 9+

This catapult is one of da Vinci’s redesigns from the medieval catapults of 400 or so years earlier.

While the Medieval catapult we made uses the force of twisted rope, this uses the tension stored in bent wood to hurl objects – usually over 15 feet. With no modifications you can experiment with flinging grapes, and those fun mini marshmallows too! A great way to introduce graphing for kids!

• Dimensions: 10 x 16 x 5.5 in
• Age Rating: 14+ While the kit can be made by people younger than 14,  (we think kids aged 9+ have the skills) it does launch a projectile, so we have rated it 14+. If used by people under 14, please make sure there is parental supervision for the launching.

Pathfinders is a Canadian company dedicated to creating compelling, innovative, wooden science kits that challenge children of all ages to explore the link between science, design, and technology in the world around us. They aim to help the student integrate knowledge gained from constructing the kits by providing links to educational resources to enhance their understanding of math and science as well as historical principles. Their chief educator, Derek Wulff, is a BC certified teacher who has been teaching grades K to 10 for the past 13 years. Derek designs all of the kits produced at Pathfinders for educational and recreational use. He spends time with kids in schools, making and using the kits to see how well they deliver curriculum for teachers, and to make sure they are engaging and appropriate for both fun play and educational aspects. They are an environmentally friendly company and use recyclable materials, natural, untreated wood, and local resources and production as much as possible. All of their kits are tested to make sure they are 100% kid and pet safe! They like to work with other local companies too. Their manufacturer in Taiwan is a local family-run factory, and most of the retail stores they sell to are small businesses and neighbourhood toy stores.

Recommended for ages 9+ with parental supervision.