Saturday, June 19, 2010

Catapult Design Still In Use

The ancient siege machine, the catapult, is still being used. But not for the original use.

It is now used in competitions among Community College students in chemistry, physics and pre-engineering classes.

Recently four McHenry County College students won the precision event in an annual Suburban Chicago Intercollegiate Catapult Contest in which engineering students from area community colleges designed and built their own catapults for entry.

Three events are designed to accurately gauge the performance demands placed on these original machines of old. The MCC team finished fifth overall out of a total of 12 teams. Members of this team included Kevin Vesely, Woodstock, Tom Cholly, Spring Grove, Laura Gallagher, Union and Alex Sistko, Crystal Lake.

MCC hopes to field several teams next year. For more information on MCC's chemistry, physics or pre-engineering classes visit

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