By: Manatee County School District
The School District of Manatee County provided the opportunity for students to compete in the Catapult Challenge on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The event is a long-standing tradition which aims to engage students in a competitive spirit, foster teamwork and teach the concepts of energy and motion.
First, what is a catapult? It’s a simple machine used to throw objects with force. Students received a bag with ‘secret’ materials on the day of the competition to build a catapult, test it, and then compete for distance and accuracy. They were engaged in planning, designing, and building their catapults before competing in the distance and accuracy categories.
Johnson K-8 School of International Studies provided the perfect venue for the competition. The school was buzzing with students hoping to earn recognition and trophies for their creations.
A huge thanks to all the volunteers, who were essential in making the competition run smoothly and swiftly. Congratulations to all of the students, teachers and coaches, families and school administrators for supporting this successful, exciting event.
We are proud to announce the following TEAM WINNERS:
Accuracy Placements:
1st Place – Team Fire Drone – Rowlett Academy
2nd Place – Team Sea Cows – Moody Elementary
3rd Place – Team The Tarapulters – Tara Elementary
Honorable Mention – Team Ramon Noodles – Bashaw Elementary
Distance Placements:
1st Place – Team Bravo – Manatee Elementary
2nd Place – Team 32 Blue Birds – Willis Elementary
3rd Place – Team The Blue Slingers – Rowlett Academy
Honorable Mention – Team Momentum – Rowlett Academy
Catapult Competition Champions
1st Place – Team Fire Drone – Rowlett Academy
2nd Place – Team The Blue Slingers – Rowlett Academy
3rd Place – Team Sea Cows – Moody Elementary
Honorable Mention –Team Fast Chickens – Gullett Elementary
