Duration: 90 minutes
Notes / Activity
Using DIY materials:
1. Design and build a confetti launcher
PS3.B: Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat. When objects collide, energy can be transferred from one object to another, thereby changing their motion. In such collisions, some energy is typically also transferred to the surrounding air; as a result, the air gets heated and sound is produced. (4-PS3-2),(4-PS3-3)
By the end of this lesson, the student should able to:
Launch the learning story:
“Which activity shows a projectile?”/“Which activity shows a balanced force?”
Projectile: Basketball, Badminton, Cannonball
Balanced force: Sitting on a chair, Tug War
Unbalanced force: Skateboarding
When do you think a confetti launcher is used? (Celebrating a happy event)
Do you know of anything that launches objects into the air? (rocket)
What will you use to hold your confetti before launching?
What will you use to apply force on your launcher to send it flying?
Step 1: Tie a knot at the bottom of a deflated balloon. Cut off half inch silver at the very top of the balloon.
Step 2: Stretch the balloon over the paper roll with the knot at the bottom. Tape the balloon to the tube with tape.
Step 3: Use decorative paper to decorate your confetti launcher. You can add stickers and color with markers and wrap it around your tube.
Step 4: Once decorated, fill the tube with one quarter full of confetti.
Step 5: Cover the tube with a piece of colored crepe paper and secure it with a rubber band to keep the confetti inside.
Step 6: Remove the rubber band and colored crepe paper. Pull back the knot of the balloon to release the confetti.
“Did your confetti fly? If it does not, why? What did/can you do to make it fly?
“Does the confetti burst out in the shape you want? Is it as high or wide or fluttery as you had hoped?”
“What force or motion can be observed in this activity?”
Ans:” Gravitational force and projectile.”
“What will happen next after you send your confetti into the air? Why?”
Ans:”Confetti will fall down to the ground, because of the gravity.”
HINT: A launcher changes stored (potential) energy into motion (kinetic) energy. The resulting force sends confetti flying.
How can you launch it more?
What happens when you launch it higher? Lower?
What if you put something heavier?
Can you do this with longer tubes?