Slingshot or Hand-Held Catapult

• 1). Hold the handle of the catapult using one hand. A hand-held catapult is usually a "Y" shape, so hold the base part of the "Y" in one hand.
  
  
• 2). Put the object you intend to propel in the center of the elasticized band. The band is attached to the top of "V" part of the catapult. Put a finger and thumb onto the object using your other hand, but don't touch the band.
  
  
• 3). Stretch the arm holding the catapult away from your body, while still holding the object in the band. Keep the hand that's holding the catapult steady and then gradually pull the other hand holding the object back toward your body. You feel the tension build as you pull backward. This is the stored energy.
  
  
• 4). Check in front of you to ensure nothing is in the way. Release your finger and thumb by opening them, but keeping them still. The stored energy is released and the energy from the band propels the object away from you at high speed. Ensure you open your finger and thumb at the same time and as wide as you can so the object and band don't touch them; otherwise, the effect will not be as good.
  
  

Tabletop Catapult

• 1). Move the arm of the catapult that has the container where the object you want to propel goes down toward the firing position. The arm is on a hinge and when you move the arm down toward the base unit, you see the other end rise away from the base unit. The arm has an elasticized band attached to it and the base unit. As you move the arm down, you feel pressure increasing as the energy gets stored in the stretched band.
  
  
• 2). Clip the arm into the connector on the base unit. This holds the arm down and the energy remains stored. Place the object you intend to propel into the container.
  
  
• 3). Check that there is nothing above or in front of the catapult. Flip the switch that's holding the arm down using your fingers. Make sure you keep yourself clear. The arm lifts up quickly and propels the object into the air.