Blog Post
Rocket launch
- by J
- •
- 18 Jul, 2019
- •
Group
size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Outdoors
What you need- Bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar at least 1l
Kitchen roll
Bottle
Art supplies
No mess option-
1 balloon (round ones will work but the longer “airship” balloons work best)
1 long piece of string
1 straw
tape
Instructions: Attach 3 support sticks to the bottle so it can stand on its head or build a rocket launch pad.
Decorate the rocket- have fun talk about aerodynamics.
Fold 1-2 spoonsful of bicarbonate of soda in kitchen roll fill ½ the bottle with vinegar.
Place the cap back on the bottle and run if the bicarbonate of soda falls down.
To prevent this place a thin layer of water on top of the vinegar.
If not turn over and place on the ground or launch pad quickly.
Stand back. The longer it takes the higher it should go.
Discuss possible improvements- try again.
You could also turn this into a research project on propulsion.
No mess option-
Put the string through the straw.
Tie string across the room.
Attach the balloon to the straw.
Blow up a balloon (don’t tie).
Let go.
Categories: Teams
Team Builder
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Achieve goals
Be supportive
Participate
Understand safety
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Outdoors
What you need- Bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar at least 1l
Kitchen roll
Bottle
Art supplies
No mess option-
1 balloon (round ones will work but the longer “airship” balloons work best)
1 long piece of string
1 straw
tape
Instructions: Attach 3 support sticks to the bottle so it can stand on its head or build a rocket launch pad.
Decorate the rocket- have fun talk about aerodynamics.
Fold 1-2 spoonsful of bicarbonate of soda in kitchen roll fill ½ the bottle with vinegar.
Place the cap back on the bottle and run if the bicarbonate of soda falls down.
To prevent this place a thin layer of water on top of the vinegar.
If not turn over and place on the ground or launch pad quickly.
Stand back. The longer it takes the higher it should go.
Discuss possible improvements- try again.
You could also turn this into a research project on propulsion.
No mess option-
Put the string through the straw.
Tie string across the room.
Attach the balloon to the straw.
Blow up a balloon (don’t tie).
Let go.
Categories: Teams
Team Builder
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Achieve goals
Be supportive
Participate
Understand safety
