NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A science class from North Platte High School is ready to compete at the fourth annual Thrills in the Hills Catapult Competition.
The North Platte Telegraph (http://bit.ly/1JgegwT ) reports the goal of the April 29 competition in Arthur is to build a machine that can propel an object great distances. The school with the machine that throws a 16-pound bowling ball the farthest wins the competition.

Science teacher Todd Ascheri, whose class will be competing, says the competition is an opportunity for students to learn basic physics concepts such as rotational movement, fulcrum and lever arm mechanics, and Newton’s laws of motion.

The teacher, who created the competition with his son, says he assisted his students, but they were primarily responsible for the design and construction of their machine.
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Information from: The North Platte Telegraph, http://www.nptelegraph.com

By: Associated Press