Students are introduced to the concept of machine learning and the iterative engineering design process through the design, construction, and testing of a catapult. They will then experiment with the catapult in order to develop a mathematical model that can be used to make predictions of how the system will perform.
Students will:
- Define machine learning and provide real-world applications for where it is used
- Describe the engineering design process and apply it to the design and construction of a catapult
- Develop a mathematical model that describes the performance of the catapult
- Create an algorithm based on the performance analysis of the catapult
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Lab time commitment
90-120 minutes
(including 35-minute intro video) -
Lab materials
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Live Q&A session and wrap up with
College Students & Professional Engineers
Classroom Tools & Resources
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Lab Intro Videos
Get our engineer’s introduction to the lab topic and learn more about the lab activity.
If you've completed the lab intro, you can find additional optional lab extensions beginning at timecode 36:00.
Teacher Guide
Pre-work, instructions and troubleshooting advice.
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Student Workbook
Questions and assessments from the lab presentation.
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Abbreviated Student Worksheet
A worksheet containing major student lab activities.
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Engineer’s Presentation
Full lab presentation presented by our engineers.
ViewMeet the lab intro host
Joanna Caudle
Staff Engineer
Joanna is an avid traveler with a rich background in engineering and education. She spent the first half of her career as a mechanical engineer at Bechtel, a global construction company, where she designed and oversaw the construction and startup of power projects across the United States and internationally. Joanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.
In 2002, Joanna transitioned to teaching, where she passionately instructed students in various physics courses and an exploratory engineering elective. She also held leadership roles as the Chair of the Upper School Science Department and STEM Program Coordinator at a private all-girls K-12 school near Washington, DC.
Joanna is an avid traveler with a rich background in engineering and education. She spent the first half of her career as a mechanical engineer at Bechtel, a global construction company, where she designed and oversaw the construction and startup of power projects across the United States and internationally. Joanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.
In 2002, Joanna transitioned to teaching, where she passionately instructed students in various physics courses and an exploratory engineering elective. She also held leadership roles as the Chair of the Upper School Science Department and STEM Program Coordinator at a private all-girls K-12 school near Washington, DC.
Lab Day Keynote
Every Engineering Tomorrow Lab Day event ends with an inspiring keynote from an engineering expert. Watch this one from the latest Algorithms & AI Lab Day.
Adam Cheyer
Inventor, Entrepreneur, Engineering Executive
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WHY ENGINEERING TOMORROW
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