A projectile STEM lab can transform the way students experience engineering and physics by turning motion, force, and energy into something they can see and measure. The DataSnap™ Projectile STEM Lab takes that experience even further by pairing hands-on projectile launches with real-world velocity and acceleration data collected through intuitive DataSnap Motion Sensors. The result is a classroom where engagement rises, curiosity grows, and abstract physics concepts finally click.
Meaningful Data
This Projectile STEM Lab includes two Motion Sensors that students launch from their catapults during each test. The sensors record key data points—including velocity and acceleration—that students can immediately view in the free DataSnap app. After reviewing their results, learners can adjust their catapult setup to improve performance. Each launch becomes an opportunity for evidence‑based refinement, reinforcing data literacy and deepening STEM understanding.
8 Catapults
The DataSnap Projectile STEM Lab comes with eight durable catapults, giving entire classes the opportunity to explore projectile motion simultaneously. Each catapult includes adjustable launch arms that allow students to test how different angles influence velocity, distance, and trajectory. Tools for modification and elastic launch bands further empower learners to experiment with force, energy, and design variables as they refine their engineering solutions.
Engineering Challenges
The DataSnap Projectile STEM Lab experience centers on the engineering design cycle. Students customize their catapult, launch their motion sensor, and use the DataSnap app to analyze their results. By evaluating factors like speed and acceleration, they can make thoughtful design changes to improve outcomes. This continuous cycle of building, testing, analyzing, and refining encourages learners to think like real engineers while developing resilience and problem‑solving skills.
Skill Development
Students build foundational engineering and physics skills through hands-on experimentation and data‑driven exploration. As they work with the catapults and motion sensors, learners investigate core STEM concepts such as:
- Force
- Energy
- Velocity
- Newton’s laws
- Design optimization through iteration
These experiences give students a chance to apply theoretical ideas in a practical, measurable way—strengthening comprehension and promoting confident, evidence‑based problem-solving.
Standards-Aligned Learning
The DataSnap Projectile STEM Lab is built to fit seamlessly into existing STEM and CTE programs thanks to its alignment with NGSS, ISTE, and ITEEA standards. This ensures every lesson reinforces essential engineering and scientific practices. The curricula provide structured, standards‑aligned activities that help teachers meet learning goals without additional prep time. Because the lab includes both introductory and advanced curricula, teachers can easily differentiate instruction and support learners at varying skill levels while staying fully aligned to required standards.
Ready-to-Use Curricula and Slides
This Projectile STEM Lab includes two complete curricula—one conceptual and one more math-intensive—so teachers can choose the best fit for their students. Each curriculum comes with ready-to-use slide presentations designed for small‑group learning, along with digital Student Engineering Workbooks that align directly with the slides. Each curriculum offers 6–12 hours of instructional content, making it easy to integrate into a unit, module, or multi-week project.
Additional Resources
- See how all our DataSnap STEM Labs compare to each other in this chart
- Explore all our STEM products here
- Watch our free, on-demand webinar on empowering STEM learning with real-time data
