Stomp Rockets
Students will design, construct, and launch paper rockets. They will learn about force and how it is important in rocket launching.
Materials Included in the Kit
• Rocket Template
• Pennies
• Rocket Launcher
Not Included in the Kit
• Markers
• Scissors
• Tape
• Empty Soda Bottle
Lesson
Alright everyone, who wants to go to space?! One of my scientist buddies started talking about this cool planet called Saturn. Apparently, it is 8 times as big as the Earth and has rings around it made of ice crystals and dust. Saturn sounds massive and I want to check it out for myself. I am pretty sure we can’t drive but, we can fly in a rocket! Maybe today we can build our model rockets and launch them into the air. This can help us get an idea of what kind of rocket we would need to find for the trip to Saturn!
Since our rocket won’t have an engine, we will have to use a different energy source to get the rocket flying through the air. We could use our arms to throw them up in the air but, I know a better energy source-air! When air gets pushed with a lot of force very quickly, it can move things around. On a small scale, you can use your breath to blow things around. It can get hard to do that with something heavy though so, the team at Nutty Scientists have come up with a contraption to help. It’s a rocket launcher that uses forced air to send your rocket soaring! To build your rocket AND launcher, follow the steps on the following page! How high do you think your rocket will go?!
Rockets are made up of 4 different parts.
• Nose cone: Upper pointy part of the rocket. It’s cone shape helps
spread the air around the rocket’s body to glide easier in the air.
• Rocket body: Tube, or triangle, part of the rocket that holds the
fuel
• Engines: This is where fuel is burned to push the rocket into space.
It is usually at the bottom of the rocket (ours won’t have this!)
• Fins: Tiny wings at the end of the rocket, these help the rocket fly
Three-Piece Stomp Rocket Instructions
1. Decorate the rocket as desired.
2. Cut out the three pieces, then carefully fold along the lines. Fold the fins outward.
3. Lay the three rocket sides next to each other (with find bent upward) and tape the two middle seams together as pictured.
4. Tape a penny to the inside of one of the nose cone triangles. 5. Fold sides to form a triangular prism shape and tape together. 6. Bend nose cone triangles inward and tape closed.
7. Tape the fins pieces together to make three fins. If desired, the fins can be left un-taped to make six fins.
8. The rocket is ready for launch. Follow the launch instructions on the other side of this paper.
One-Piece Stomp Rocket Instructions
1. Decorate the rocket as desired.
2. Cut out the pattern on the solid lines, then carefully fold along the dotted lines. Fold the fins outward.
3. Tape a penny to the inside of one of the nose cone triangles.
4. Fold the three rectangles into a triangular prism shape with the large tab inside. Tape the seam.
5. Bend nose cone triangles inward and tape closed. The tabs should be inside. 6. Bend the fins out and adjust as desired.
7. The rocket is ready for launch. Follow the launch instructions on the other side of this paper.
Nutty rocket Questions!
• How would you adjust the launch tube on the launcher in order to… o …make the rocket fly the farthest distance?
o …keep the rocket in the air the longest time possible? • Why does the rocket have wings?
• Why is the nose pointy instead of flat? • Why do we put a penny in the rocket?
Nutty Challenges
• What is the farthest distance you can get your rocket to travel?
Pop! Rocket Launcher
Materials
Launcher Materials Included in the Kit • 2 PVC tee connectors
• 1 PVC connector • 2 PVC caps • 3 Long PVC pipes • 3 Short PVC pipes
Launcher Materials NOT Included in the Kit • Duct tape (or other wide tape)
• Empty (and rinsed) 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle • Eye protection for anyone near launcher
Launcher Assembly Procedure
1) Insert the end of one long pipe a few inches into the neck of the bottle and tape it securely with tape
2) Follow the construction diagram above for assembly of the launcher
3) Leave the label on the bottle. This gives students a target to aim for when stomping. If the end of the bottle is accidentally squashed, the bottle becomes difficult to reinflate and has to be replaced. If you prefer to remove the label, use a marker and draw a bull’s-eye on the side of the bottle. 4) The launcher is ready for use
Launch Instructions
• USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN LAUNCHING ROCKETS
• Make sure the landing zone is clear of anyone who might be hit by the rocket. • Slide the Paper Rocket onto the “Launch Rod”
• Stomp or jump on an empty 2-liter soft drink (“pop”) bottle and force the air inside through connected plastic pipes to propel the rocket
• Place the launcher in an open space and tilt the launch rod in the desired direction. • If using inside, aim the launch tube at a low angle towards a wall
• After launch, reinflate the 2 liter bottle. Separate the bottle from the launcher by pulling it from the connector. Wrap your hand around the pipe end to make a loose fist and blow through opening into the pipe. Doing so keeps your lips from touching the pipe. Reconnect the bottle to the launcher and it is ready to go again.
• As an added challenge, place a ball in the landing zone. Imagine the ball is Mars. Attempt to launch your rocket and land it on Mars!
Using the Pop! Rocket Launcher
When the landing zone is clear, have the next student put on the goggles, slide the rocket on to the launcher, aim the launcher, do the countdown, and stomp on the bottle.
