Timeline:
4-6 hours
Suggested Materials:
Various types of paper and cardboard.
Thin plastic containers
Hot glue gun
Wine bottle cork
PVC pipe rocket launcher** This can be easily built with less that $10 of materials from the hardware store. Get a parent to help you with this. T.E. Scott students can also borrow a launcher from Mr. Newbold.
2L pop bottles
Scissors
Masking Tape
Kitchen Scale
Design Challenge:
You will be designing a small rocket that is powered by air pressure. Your goal is to build a rocket that can fly as high as possible.
Throughout the design process their are many variables to consider that will affect the maximum height that your rocket can reach. Variables to consider when designing your rocket are:
Nose cone size and style
Stabilizer size and style
Number of stabilizers
Fuselage length and diameter
Weight and strength of building materials
Overall weight of your rocket
Launch technique
- You can print the template attached below to help you decide on the correct size and shape for your rocket pieces.
rocket_template_1_.pdf |
- Your rocket should be the exact diameter to fit snugly on your launcher. Use a wine bottle cork in the rocket fuselage to give it some weight, to seal the end and to help make sure it is the correct diameter.
- Watch this video to understand some of the steps.
It is likely that your first prototype will not go very high. To design an effective rocket you should build many prototypes to learn about the affect of each variable.
When you are ready to launch a prototype we will be able to use some advanced math to measure the height of your rocket.
The Design Process:
1) RESEARCH
Your first step should be to learn as much as you can about rocket design. Fortunately for you, some of the world's brightest scientists have spent years studying rockets. Use the links below to learn about factors that affect the height and stability of rockets.
Rocket Aerodynamics
Forces on a Rocket
How Rockets Work
2) BRAINSTORMING
Think about how different design factors will affect the way your rocket flies.
Think about what materials and tools you will need to start building your rocket.
Use scrap paper or a white board to make a plan before building.
3) PROTOTYPING
Prototyping means to repeat a process of building, testing and improving.
Build- make a few "draft" versions of rockets that you think will work well. These should be well made but don't spend too much time or too many materials on these.
Test- speak with you teacher about launching your prototypes. Launching rockets should be done outdoors in a wide open space like a field. Never aim your rockets anywhere but straight up. Ask about instructions for measuring the height of your rocket and be sure to measure each test so that you will have data to compare different prototypes. Make observations that will help you to improve your rocket design.
Improve- Using the data collected from your rocket tests, think about ways that you can improve your prototypes. You may be able to make adjustments to your existing rockets or you may need to start from scratch.
Repeat this process as many times as possible until you have perfected your rocket.
4) SHARE
Great scientists and inventors know that it is important to share your discoveries. Please film and take photos of your final rocket launch and follow the instructions below for reporting on this assignment.
Share Your Learning
Designing is about the process not about the product. Even if your rocket did not succeed, you should be sharing what you learned during the design process.
Use your digital portfolio to reflect about your progress at least once a week. Your posts can be in any form including:
A short paragraph (about six sentences)
A short video (about one minute)
A detailed diagram (use paper or a whiteboard and take a photo)
A series of photos that show progress
One easy way to know what to post is to complete a self interview.
At some point throughout your reflections you should address the questions below.
Before You Begin:
What ideas do you have about your rocket design?
What factors do you think will affect how high your rocket can fly?
After Researching:
Did you learn anything new from your research?
Did this research change how you plan to build your rocket?
After Prototyping
Explain what features you added to the rocket.
Explain how these features will contribute to a successful flight.
Use a photo or video to show the features of each prototype.
Use your digital portfolio to reflect about your progress at least once a week. Your posts can be in any form including:
A short paragraph (about six sentences)
A short video (about one minute)
A detailed diagram (use paper or a whiteboard and take a photo)
A series of photos that show progress
One easy way to know what to post is to complete a self interview.
At some point throughout your reflections you should address the questions below.
Before You Begin:
What ideas do you have about your rocket design?
What factors do you think will affect how high your rocket can fly?
After Researching:
Did you learn anything new from your research?
Did this research change how you plan to build your rocket?
After Prototyping
Explain what features you added to the rocket.
Explain how these features will contribute to a successful flight.
Use a photo or video to show the features of each prototype.