Mini T-Shirt Cannon – SCOPES-DF
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Lesson Details

Subjects *
Engineering, Unplugged
Age Ranges *
8-11
Fab Tools *
None, Recycled Material
Standards
Fab-Safety.1, Fab-Design.1
Author
Aidan Mullaney

Author

Aidan Mullaney
Aidan Mullaney
Other
Aidan Mullaney is the Instructional Manager for the GE/Celtics Brilliant Play Lab. His primary role with the Fab Foundation is developing and delivering curriculum for the middle school mobile lab. Aidan facilitates career-related activities with a focus on STEM in… Read More

Summary

Engineer a mini T-shirt cannon out of a toilet paper roll and rubber bands to shoot marshmallows at a target or into a crowd!

 

Safety note: This activity requires the use of scissors and other sharp objects; parental supervision is advised. Items created in connection with this video should not be pointed at eyes or face.

What You'll Need

The Instructions

Choose Materials for Cannon

Decide which materials to use for the T-shirt cannon. This lesson will use a toilet paper roll, plastic bottle cap, paper clip, and marshmallows.

Puncture Holes in Toilet Paper Roll

Create two small holes opposite of each other at one end of the roll with scissors or thumb tacks. SAFETY NOTE: use care when puncturing holes with sharp objects.

Create Two Holes in the Plastic Bottle Cap

Puncture two small holes in the plastic bottle cap with scissors or a precision screwdriver. SAFETY NOTE: use care when puncturing holes with sharp objects.

Cut and Knot a Rubber Band

Cut one of the rubber bands and tie a double knot at the end. Alternatively, tie a knot to an aluminum can top.

Attach Rubber Bands to Roll

Insert the non-knotted end of the rubber band through one hole of the toilet paper roll from the exterior. Next, insert the same end through the top of the plastic bottle cap. Hook the second rubber band to the first under the cap bottom. Then, place the loose end of first rubber band through the open hole of the cap.