Engineers

Burke got to share all the engineering chops he has with a bunch of 10 year old boys who were up for the challenge.
His assignment was to help them pass off their engineering requirements so they could earn their pin.
He went the extra mile...
They learned about the power of pulleys:
Then they got to build and learn about catapults. Burke built each of them their own catapult.
Then they got to test fire their catapults.



When we were planning this little activity, I mentioned that I thought it would be interesting if Burke could show the boys as simply as possible how an engineer could use a formula to calculate how far the catapult could throw the object.
I didn't realize that keeping it simple doesn't jive with engineering. I knew we were in trouble as soon as he asked the three 10 year olds and Kade if they knew what sine, cosine and tangent were. I could feel my own eyelids getting droopy....
After a few calculations, they figured it all out and were able to move on to the good stuff...
Burke's job:
Rockets.
Of course, just the water, compressed air, and soda bottle kind.
But pretty fun, nonetheless.