This week, our young engineers took on a classic design challenge—building mini catapults! Using popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and lots of imagination, students explored how engineers test, adjust, and redesign to make their creations work better.

After building a basic model, everyone quickly discovered that engineering isn’t about getting it perfect the first time. We experimented with tightening and loosening rubber bands, adding or removing sticks, and changing angles to see how each adjustment affected the launch. Every minor tweak made a big difference, and students loved seeing their projectiles fly a little farther each time.

There was cheering, redesigning, problem-solving, and so many “Try it again!” moments. Most importantly, students gained confidence through hands-on practice with real engineering habits—planning, testing, revising, and celebrating improvement.