Cotton Ball Launcher

How far will the cotton ball go?

Fun engineering activity where you build your own cotton ball launcher from readily available materials! Have you ever stretched and launched a rubber band at someone? Put that energy to good use and build a rubber band-powered cotton ball launcher in this fun activity!

 

Watch the video and build your own launcher. Measure how far you can shoot the cotton balls!

 

Journal Questions
  1. How far did you cotton balls go?
  2. How could you make the cotton balls go further?
  3. Does the size of the rubber band make a difference?

Earn badges and qualify for prize drawing by registering and answering journal questions. It's fun and easy!

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Topics

Engineering
Grade Level
2-3
4-5

Creator

Science Buddies
From our staff of scientists directly to you!

Curator

STEAMfest

STEAMfest

Imagine, Discover, Explore

Materials

  • Short pencil or popsicle stick
  • Thin rubber bands (2)
  • Cardboad tube (2 empty toilet paper tubes or empty paper towel tube cut in half)
  • Packing tape or other strong tape
  • Scissors
  • Cotton balls
  • Single hole punch

Links

Written Instructions