https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq An awesome project with SO many teachable moments. en-us 2018-06-21 17:02:39 UTC 2025-09-24 02:26:47 UTC hello@padlet.com stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268130329 Each group of kids will need 1 or 2, 2 liter pop bottles, a few meters of duct tape and stiff cardboard]]> 2018-06-21 17:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268130329 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268130603 I picked the  launcher up from Pitsco but it is about 250USD now. Expensive but really worth it. Try this link for building one yourself.

]]> 2018-06-21 17:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268130603 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132030 Other than the launcher, you will need a mat knife, scissors and umm... that's it!]]> 2018-06-21 17:16:03 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132030 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132227 I Explain that everything should be balanced and even so it flies straight. ]]> 2018-06-21 17:17:29 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132227 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132516 The bottom bottle is the motor and is upside-down when launched. It also cannot be punctured AT ALL. The explosion is loud. Not dangerous, but very loud.]]> 2018-06-21 17:19:45 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132516 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132720 2018-06-21 17:21:54 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132720 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132783 Yup. The water provides a push... equal and opposite reaction as it pushes out the nozzle. No water, very little weight, no push. Add weight into the top bottle and explain momentum. I did a big write-up here with lots of details and scienc-y stuff.]]> 2018-06-21 17:22:42 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268132783 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133226 If the students have more than one bottle, cut one in half and use the top part for a cone. Use scissors or a mat knife. Start the cut with the bottle lid on tightly. Makes it easier to start. Keep the lid for later and be sure to keep the bottles as straight as possible.]]> 2018-06-21 17:27:12 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133226 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133712 If you have a scroll saw, it works great for cutting cardboard. Otherwise, use a mat knife. Keep the fins small and only do 2 or 3. You can talk about DRAG with the kids now.]]> 2018-06-21 17:32:13 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133712 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133895 Use Duct Tape. I show the kids how to tape by attaching strips to each side of the fin, holding the tape back and holding the fin up to the bottle.]]> 2018-06-21 17:34:13 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268133895 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134137 If the rocket has a separate nose-come, add some sand to it. Momentum will REALLY increase the flight time. This does create a potentially dangerous situation, as the rocket is heavier but it sure flies great!! (more on that later)]]> 2018-06-21 17:36:42 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134137 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134750 2018-06-21 17:40:44 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134750 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134947 I insist the kids leave the launch handle on the ground until the rocket is in place and I have moved. Very narrow misses in the past. All the students stay back from the rocket and against the school building. They are not allowed to chase the rocket until it lands. I always tilt the rocket a small amount so it launches away from the kids. If the rocket nose is tilted, be sure to turn it so the angle points away from everyone]]> 2018-06-21 17:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268134947 stumitchell https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268135794 2018-06-21 17:52:08 UTC https://padlet.com/stumitchell/f26wxf427pxq/wish/268135794