A collection of student-made catapults built for a History class lesson in Christopher Bost’s 9th grade classroom are seen at Cranberry High School. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
By ABBY SLOSS
Student contributor
Keeping students engaged in classes and lessons is a difficult task that many teachers may struggle with, but it seems that Cranberry High School’s Christopher Bost has found a very fun way of teaching his students about Roman technology and weaponry.
Starting at the beginning of September, Bost gave his 9th grade history classes the assignment to design a working catapult to launch tennis balls behind the school.
Of course, students were not forced to make a catapult. If woodwork and construction was not quite their style, the option was given to write up an essay instead.
What lesson are they learning by launching these catapults exactly?
Bost explains: “We’ve been talking about Greece and Roman Civilization and learning about their technology. It also helps them figure out how the Romans built them.”
Bost talked about where the idea came from: “I did it back in Brookville and the teacher before me, Mr. Haight did this for accuracy, but I wanted to see how far they could go.”
Two students from Bost’s 9th grade history class said that their favorite part was designing the catapults and said that they enjoyed it.
Jadyn Shumaker, a 9th grader at CHS, added, “My favorite part was seeing if it would actually work.”
This sentiment seems to be common among students, who have seemed to enjoy it over the years.
Since the students were given just a month to build the catapults, it felt fair to ask how hard it was to make the catapults.
When asked how hard it was to make the catapults, 9th grader Cole Edwards put it best: “Not hard at all.”
With the catapults completed for the year, Bost said, “Overall I think the project went well. The objectives were met, and the students seemed engaged. I will definitely continue the assignment in the future. It’s a great way to get students excited about history.”
Abby Sloss, Addi Karns, and Raquel Knight are students at Cranberry High School and members of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
Annabella Sharrar, a 9th grade student at Cranberry High School, tests out her catapult. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
Christopher Bost (left), History teacher at Cranberry High School, talks to Dan O’Brien, Earth & Science and Engineering Technology teacher. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
Olivia Smith, a 9th grader at Cranberry High School, participates in the catapult launching during History class. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
Students in Christopher Bost’s 9th grade History class at Cranberry High School launch their catapults. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
Measurements were taken to calculate the distance and performance of each catapult made for a History class lesson in Christopher Bost’s 9th grade classroom at Cranberry High School. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
Annabella Sharrar, a 9th grade student at Cranberry High School, launches her catapult as part of a History assignment in Christopher Bost’s classroom. (By Raquel Knight/Student contributor)
