Blast Off!

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Students design and create their own air-powered rockets, in this hands-on activity. Learners will develop a better understanding of physics related concepts, specifically those related to momentum, velocity and potential and kinetic energy. Students will also have the opportunity to brainstorm other rocket designs, which exhibit their understanding of these concepts and allows them to get creative with their own unique designs and ideas.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Model
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per student)

  • empty 20 oz. plastic bottle
  • thin straw
  • wide straw (that fits over the thin straw)
  • clay or poster putty
  • tape
  • scissors
  • construction paper (optional)
  • string (optional)
  • paper streamers (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Aerospace Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Potential and Kinetic Energy
      • Energy and Power
    • Motion and Forces
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Projectile Motion
      • Newton's Laws
      • Rotation Motion
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Model Building

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Foreign language versions of this resource:

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • WGBH

Source Collection

  • Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman

Rights:

  • , WGBH Educational Foundation, 2010

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0840307
  • Public television viewers
  • Chuck E. Cheese's