#HEXDIY St. Patrick’s Day STEM Catapult Game

Think luck is on your side? Put it to the test in this week’s HEXHUB holiday activity, the #HEXDIY St. Patrick’s Day Catapult Game. This awesome DIY is fun for all ages and is great for a party or gathering with friends. Learn about physics by using the VEX Robotics Catapult by HEXBUG to launch “gold pieces” onto Point Targets (for 20 or 50 points). Decipher the perfect trajectory and send the treasure flying into the pot of gold (100 points). Be the player with the highest score after 15 minutes, and win!

Before you begin: Please ask for assistance in printing and handling scissors if necessary.

Materials Needed:

• VEX Robotics Catapult by HEXBUG ($19.99, hexbug.com)
• Georgia Pacific® Printer Paper Letter Size 24lb Premium Bright 500ct ($6.69, target.com)
• Scotch™ Precision Ultra Edge Scissors ($8.99, target.com)
• The Christmas Shoppe Sparkly Bowl & Vase Filler ($6.99, target.com)
• Halloween Cauldron 8 Inch Black Plastic Party Accessory (1/pkg) Pkg/1 ($4.99, walmart.com)

STEP 1:
First, assemble your VEX Robotics Catapult by HEXBUG. Click HERE if you’d like to read more on this ingenious STEM toy.  Recommended for ages 14 and up, or younger with parent supervision!

STEP 2:
Print off the Point Targets onto computer paper. You can use the brand we suggested above, or whichever type you have at home. You can find the printable Point Targets HERE. Use your scissors to neatly cut along the Point Target dotted lines.

STEP 3:
Spread out the targets on a table or flat surface. The 20 Point Targets should be closest in proximity to you, the 50 Point Targets mid-range, and the empty pot of gold should be placed furthest away from your Catapult Game “launching station”. The empty pot of gold is worth 100 points, (that’s ideally where you’d want your gold pieces to end up).

STEP 4:
Taking turns (we suggest 2-4 players) alternate in launching a piece of gold in hopes of obtaining points. Keep notation of your individual accumulated points after 15 minutes. Player with the highest score takes home the pot of gold, just kidding—you’ll need it for round 2! But they will be crowned the winner, and reserve all bragging rights.

STEP 5:
Play this game on St. Patrick’s Day, take a photo of the fun, and share your results! Use the hashtag “#HEXDIY” and tag us in your photo on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!