Pathfinders: Leonardo da Vinci Bombard - Ages 14+
The image of the bombard, with exploding shells was truly unique for the time. In the Codex Atlanticus da Vinci illustrated how it could be used, along with exploding shells – similar to present day cluster bombs.
This working re-creation uses elastics to launch a hollow ball – up to 14 feet, and it can be rotated with a gear driven slider to change the trajectory – for some interesting insights about how trajectory changes distance a projectile travels. You can add items to the balls to change the weight, which will also change the distance, and use other types of small balls to learn about how density and the smoothness of the covering affects how projectiles will fly. We provide 3 openable hollow balls, and you can also launch styrofoam, aluminum foil, wooden, and even those small soft fuzzy balls. Made with our excellent quality 3 and 5 mm die-cut wood, there are also a number of extra elastic bands to make sure your siege can last the duration!
A great beginner to intermediate STEM kit for kids to learn about trajectory, parabolas, and it has an interesting back story about a genius renaissance inventor, engineer and artist, – and a great way for kids of all ages to learn more about European history, Leonardo and the time he lived, and then hurl things – the perfect mix!
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 8+