Rocket Design

Purpose: To use science inquiry skills to build and launch a simple rocket from several wooden launch pads of various angles to determine what trajectory angle will carry a rocket the greatest distance

Materials
Launchers

• 4 wooden 2 x 4 blocks
• protractor or angle ruler
• saw
• wooden ruler

Rocket(s)

• sturdy drinking straw(s) (not flexible straws)
• stapler
• rubber band(s)
• index cards
• scissors

Other Materials for Launch

• tape measure
• string
• stakes
• flat surface from which to launch

Procedure

Launcher

• Cut 2 x 4 wooden blocks to angles of launch of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°.

Simple Rocket

• Insert a rubber band into one end of a straw, about ½ inch.
  
• Staple this end of the straw, capturing the inserted end of the rubber band. This will close the straw as well as secure the rubber band in place.
  
• Cut two identical 1" x 2" rectangles from an index card to use as fins.
• Slice a 1" slit at the end of the straw, opposite the secured rubber band. Slice a second, identical slit on the opposite side of this end.
• Put the fins back-to-back and insert them through the slits. Staple through the straw to hold the fins in place.
  
• Bend the fins up and down for more separation. Now you are ready to launch!
  

Setting the Launch Field

• Mark a line to launch from using string and stakes.
• Mark lines at 10, 15, and 20 feet. This is more for keeping the tape measure distances straight. If you prefer, you may use a metric measures.

Launching the Rocket

• Two people are needed to hold the equipment and launch the straw rocket.
• Set the 30° block on the ground (flat walkway is preferable).
• Set the ruler on top of the block as shown in the diagram below.
  
• Fasten the rocket to the ruler by looping the rubber band around the top end of the ruler.
  
• Pull back on the tail end of the rocket as far as it will stretch. Read this measurement! You will need to remember to stretch to the same measurement on the ruler for each launch!
• Release the rocket. It will shoot off the end of the ruler.
• Measure how far the rocket went using the tape measure.
• Repeat steps 1 - 7 several times using the 30° block.
• Be sure to record your results.
• Repeat steps 1 - 9 using each of the remaining angle launchers (45°, 60°, and 75°).
• Be sure to keep data on how far the rocket went with each launch.
• Graph your data, comparing the distances achieved for each launch angle.

NOTE: The 45° angle launcher is supposed to make the rocket go the farthest distance; however, results may vary using this simple launching apparatus and rocket.