Pathfinders' innovative wooden science kits build working replicas of three of the most infamous and powerful, medieval siege engines, the Siege Tower, the Catapult and the Trebuchet. Weapons that once smashed castle and fortress walls changing the course of many a kingdom! Building the kits allow children and adults to explore the link between design, materials and technology. A wonderful lesson in how basic mechanical principles turned simple materials into very useful and effective tools.
Pathfinders' kits are designed by Derek Wulff, a science educator in British Columbia. The kits are based on historic designs: the Trebuchet is based on the Warwolf from the 13th century. The kit uses only wood, rope and leather. Pieces are joined by wooden dowels, not screws or nails. No elastic, rubber, motor or batteries are used to create the movement of these device's swing arms. All pieces are pre-cut and drilled requiring only wood or white glue to assemble. The instructions are detailed and complete with educational notes about the siege engine.
When completed, the mighty Trebuchet is 18 inches long x 7 inches wide x 7 inches tall. It is capable of hurling a ball of soft modeling clay over 20 feet! (Modeling clay is included in the kits.) This kit is suitable for children 10 and older taking an hour or two to complete. Safety instructions are included and children are recommended to use under adult supervision. While these scale models will only be smashing down imaginary castle walls, they are loads of fun to build and use.
Toy Value Index 7.91
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Toy IQ 153
Genius
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Information about Trebuchet Kit
Posted 5/5/2010 by Dan Abrams
Rating:
Setting: Home
The wooden dowels should come pre-cut. It takes a lot of time and effort to cut these pieces. The box would be easier to glue and assemble by having pre-drilled holes on the adjoining pieces. Then it would be able to take wooden dowel pieces as well. This would prevent the box from shifting around until the glue sets. Also there should be more info on the ball size and weight ratio between the ball and the box. After readjusting the string length, figuring out how much weight works in the box verses the projectile, it turned out to be a fun project. I strongly suggest parental support on the build and operation of the Trebuchet.
A rating of Trebuchet Kit
Posted 4/12/2010 by Susan Mullen
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My 8 year old son and his uncle had a great time putting this together.
Took about 45 minutes but no complications and was nice quality time together.
My rating of Trebuchet Kit
Posted 3/22/2010 by Michael Anton
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Very nice design. I liked that the woodenpegs reinforced the joints. The bucket was a little flimsey sinceit isonly heldtogether with glue. But it works! I would order another one.
Information about Trebuchet Kit
Posted 2/16/2010 by Cathy A.
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The Trebuchet Kit was easy to asssemble as advertised. My 14-year-old son put it together in less than an hour. He has been successful in varying the counter weight and projectile weight to produce a top-notch science fair project. Thank you!
Elkhorn, Nebraska USA 68022