Javelin Throwing STEM Challenge

We're getting ready for the 2024 Olympics with a fun javelin STEM challenge. A javelin is a light spear thrown by hand. In athletics, it is a field event where competitors try to throw it as far as possible.

A great javelin throw is a combination of the thrower's strength and ability and physics! Competitors need to consider several factors.

Release angle - an angle of around 40 degrees is thought to be optimal for a javelin throw.

Release height - generally, the higher the release, the better.

Javelin speed - the faster the javelin is moving when it's released the further it will travel.

This simple STEM challenge is a great introduction to setting up an investigation to be a fair test. Children can choose a factor to test and then keep all other variables the same. We investigated whether the length of a javelin affected how far it flew, which meant we had to try to keep the release angle, release height and speed of the javelin the same.

Paper Javelin STEM Challenge

We made three different sized paper javelins by rolling paper into thin tubes and then experimented by throwing the 'javelins' at different angles.

You'll need

A4 paper

Scissors

Space to throw

Chalk

Tape measure

Tape

Instructions

Roll one piece of A4 paper as tightly as possible and secure with tape.

Use tape to join two sheets of A4 paper end to end and roll them up.

Use tape to join three sheets of A4 paper end to end and roll them up.

Throw each javelin three times from the same spot and measure how far each javelin travels. Try to keep the release angle and force used in the throw the same.