pic: "You should never go against a robotics kid"

[Barry Bonzack]

I would suggest to the administration to simply change the projectile. Tennis balls, oranges, and racquetballs are a bit softer. How many projects do schools offer that teaches THIS much and is also fun to do?

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

I would suggest to the administration to simply change the projectile. Tennis balls, oranges, and racquetballs are a bit softer. How many projects do schools offer that teaches THIS much and is also fun to do?

I agree Barry! I think, however, before the decision is made extensive testing is needed. I propose setting up a "splatter wall" and flinging all kinds of fruits at it to see which one makes the prettiest pattern. (oh yeah, and safest).

Dave, can you spare a banana or two?

[IBdrummer]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

I would suggest to the administration to simply change the projectile. Tennis balls, oranges, and racquetballs are a bit softer. How many projects do schools offer that teaches THIS much and is also fun to do?

In my physics class last year we did a similar project, but instead of baseballs we used water balloon. Its almost completely safe in terms of injury from the projectile. I was the only robotics student in the class and my group's sling shot ended up setting the all time school record and put the water balloon around 135 m out.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Pikat

I think we decided to call it a "Catachet"

Gesundheit!

That name has a certain cachet to it...

[AustinSchuh]

Originally Posted by IBdrummer

Its(the water balloon) almost completely safe in terms of injury from the projectile.

I would have to disagree with you on the safety of a water balloon. A friend of mine took a hand thrown water balloon to the eye and, if I remember correctly, ended up with internal bleeding. It was not pretty.