Do you have a son who loves to put things together? Does he like models?
Well, then Pitsco Education probably has something for you.
Our family just had the joy of putting together these two projects which included a wonderful book. 
Siege Machines book, the Catapult kit, and the Trebuchet kit and weights ($21.95)
From The Lord of the Rings to Night at the Museum, we are fascinated by these medieval devices. Now, use that interest to teach basic math, science, and problem-solving skills. With this pack, your child learns about catapults and trebuchets through hands-on activities that cover three areas:
- Science: Tension versus torsion, elasticity, gravity and levers, and force and motion
- Math: Metric conversion, calculating averages, and prediction
- Experiments: Mass versus distance, testing rubber bands, targeting, and more
They will discover the history of medieval siege machines as well as the concepts required to build and use them.
Level: Intermediate-Middle School
Assembly Method: Gluing and cutting
Tools Required: Kit assembly requires: Hobby knife, needle-nose pliers, ruler, scissors, sandpaper, and white glue such as HD Bond II. Siege Machines book activities require: Tape measure; digital scale or balance; 15′-20′ of white roll paper such as the plain side of wrapping paper or Pitsco’s Range Paper Tape; cool-melt glue gun and glue; straw; ruler; scissors; extra rubber bands: 4 – 3-1/2″ x 1/16″ (#19), 1 – 3-1/2″ x 1/4″ (#64) (not including the one on the catapult), and 4 – 3″ x 1/16″; target – either an 8.5″ x 11″ piece of color paper or one pack of Target Pieces; 2″ x 12″ sheet of balsa wood or basswood; 2 – 2.5-inch-long axles, 4 nylon axle bushings, small washers, and model car wheels (such as those for CO2 cars)
My husband and oldest son (12) worked together to put together the Trebuchet.
My oldest son put the Catapult together himself.
These kits are wonderfuly made, and the instructions are easy to understand. My son learned skills such as:
- Gluing wood
- following intense instructions
- the science behind these two tools
- some history lessons
- how to shoot his clay into a pot
- aiming
If you have a boy who enjoys these types of projects and you are wanting quality products at a great price, Pitsco is a place to start.
I was given this kit free in return for my honest review. I will not receive any further compensation.
