WHO: Students in the Philosophy and History of Science and Technology Class

WHAT: Group Project Demonstrations

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Playing Fields Next to the Moody Sustainers Field House

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The launch of a medieval-style catapult is one of several final projects to be presented in the Philosophy and History of Science and Technology class at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. on the playing fields next to the Moody Sustainers Field House.

In the class, students were challenged to recreate a historic advance in technology using only the tools, materials, and techniques available at that time. The goal is to help students understand why technological advancement, in stark contrast to the modern era, has often been halting and slow.

Demonstrations will include the trebuchet, a medieval-style catapult used in siege warfare; the atlatl, a Stone Age tool for hurling javelins with greater accuracy; a seventh century Chinese design hot air balloon used in warfare; and a Baghdad battery circa 300 B.C., a primitive device constructed from clay jars, copper and iron rods.