{"title":"XPULT Catapult","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"xpult-science-project-catapult","title":"XPULT Science Project Catapult","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXPULT Science Project Catapult\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hands‑on experimental catapult for science fairs, STEM classrooms, universities, and corporate training. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT Science Project Catapult was developed by Professors Terwiesch and Karl at the University of Pennsylvania as a practical, affordable tool for teaching experimentation, data analysis, and process improvement. Originally created as an accessible alternative to high‑cost instructional catapults, the XPULT delivers reliable, repeatable launches that make scientific concepts \u003cem\u003evisible, measurable, and testable\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT made its first public debut at the Penn Wynne Elementary School Science Fair, where it quickly became the most popular exhibit — measured by the line of kids waiting to try it. Today, it’s used in K–12 STEM programs, university engineering and business courses, and corporate Six Sigma and process‑improvement training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery XPULT kit arrives with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe catapult itself, including a locking pin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree rubber bands (size: 3 inches x 1\/8 inch).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA table tennis ball and a light plastic ball with small holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA clamp for attaching the catapult to the edge of a table.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccess to beginner and advanced teaching materials online.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is designed for quick setup and safe, classroom‑friendly use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Makers, Educators, and Trainers Choose the XPULT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker‑friendly design that encourages hands‑on exploration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepeatable performance ideal for data gathering and analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdjustable parameters for controlled experiments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAffordable alternative to expensive instructional catapults\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngaging for all ages — from elementary school to MBA programs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for Science Projects \u0026amp; STEM Fairs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT gives students a platform to design real experiments, collect data, and answer meaningful questions. Popular project ideas include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShould you launch with a high arc or a shallow arc to make a basket more reliably?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes a backboard change the optimal launch angle?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes a lighter ball travel farther than a heavier one?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhich travels farther: a perforated ball or a table tennis ball?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan you model a projectile’s trajectory in Excel using real data?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudents learn to set up controlled trials, measure outcomes, and iterate — the core of the scientific method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeginner‑Level Experiments (Basic Instructions)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe basic XPULT guide introduces students to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafe setup and operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to adjust launch angle and pull‑back angle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to measure distance accurately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to work in teams (spotter, shooter, data recorder)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to run 10‑shot practice rounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to predict flight distance using real measurements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced Experimentation (Grades 11–College)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT supports deeper, data‑driven experimentation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasuring variation across repeated launches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdentifying sources of process noise\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning 30–50‑shot trials for statistical significance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding histograms and analyzing distributions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalculating averages and standard deviations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComparing factor effects (angle, pullback, rubber bands, ball type)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptimizing settings to hit a target distance consistently\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT’s repeatability makes it ideal for teaching how real processes behave — variation, drift, noise, and all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsed in University Courses Worldwide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT is used in engineering, operations, and business programs at institutions including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUniversity of Pennsylvania\u003c\/strong\u003e — Product Design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eINSEAD\u003c\/strong\u003e — POM Core Course\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndian School of Business\u003c\/strong\u003e — MBA Core Course\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon topics taught with the XPULT:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStatistical Process Control (SPC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSix Sigma and process capability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign of Experiments (DOE)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProcess improvement and optimization\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVariation analysis and factor effects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorporate Training Applications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XPULT is widely used in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSix Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt programs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDOE workshops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProcess capability and variation‑reduction training\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeam‑based problem‑solving exercises\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts adjustability and repeatability make it ideal for demonstrating real‑world process behavior in a low‑risk, high‑engagement format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdjustable launch angle and tension\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStable base for consistent, repeatable results\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightweight, classroom‑safe construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned specifically for data‑driven experimentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports both beginner and advanced experiments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeaching materials and sample projects available online\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA rare crossover tool: simple enough for kids, rigorous enough for university labs, and practical enough for corporate training.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree Downloads\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssignments:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/xpult-instructions-basic.pdf?v=1776789944\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBasic Instructions\u003c\/a\u003e to view graphing and functions assignments for 7th through 12th grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/xpult-instructions-advanced.pdf?v=1776789954\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAdvanced Instructions\u003c\/a\u003e for statistics, standard deviation, and histogram, geared toward 11th grade through college.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/xpult-instructions-highered.pdf?v=1776789960\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHigher Education Instructions\u003c\/a\u003e for Problem Solving, Experimentation and Six Sigma in university coursework.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpreadsheets:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/catapult-experiments.xls?v=1776792689\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eExample DOE table\u003c\/a\u003e for Catapult Experiments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/catapult-model.xls?v=1776792689\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eXpult Simulator\u003c\/a\u003e spreadsheet example for velocity, trajectory and launch angle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresentations and Slides:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/xpult-class-slides.ppt?v=1776792969\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eProblem Solving\u003c\/a\u003e PowerPoint slides for classroom discussion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/process-capability-slides.ppt?v=1776793047\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eProcess Capability\u003c\/a\u003e PowerPoint slides for Six Sigma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1856\/0097\/files\/xpult-informs.pdf?v=1776804146\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eXpult Overview\u003c\/a\u003e PowerPoint slides for key concepts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MakerStock","offers":[{"title":"Default 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