Paper Rockets

Paper Rockets

Skills

observation

communication

organizing

comparing

Materials

straws

clear tape

paper

scissors

Doing the Activity
Prepare for the activity by cutting an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper into four strips.

Take one strip of paper and fold it in half long ways.

Tape the edge of the paper together, leave 1 inch untaped at the bottom.

Fold and tape to a point at the top.

Tear or cut the paper on the untaped end to make fins.

Put the straw in the end that is not taped.

Blow on the straw to launch your rocket.

Talking it over

How far can your rocket fly?

Compare your flight distances to those of other people. Why do some rockets fly further

than others?

Where does the power for your rocket come from?

What could you change to make your rocket fly further?

Have you ever done something like this before?

What's Happening

Your rocket shows the famous Second Law of Motion - first realized by a scientist named Newton. The law says that when you apply a force on something it moves. A force is a push or a pull. When you blow on the straw the force of the air pushes the rocket.

More Challenges

Try to get your rocket to land in a designated recovery zone.

Create your own rocket design. Try smaller or larger rockets or rockets made from different types of paper.

Activity Source

Sherwood, Elizabeth. More Mudpies To Magnets: Science For Young Children. Maryland: Gryphon House, Inc., 1990.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
University Extension

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	Paper Rockets
	Skills observation communication organizing comparing
	Materials straws clear tape paper scissors
	Doing the Activity Prepare for the activity by cutting an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper into four strips. Take one strip of paper and fold it in half long ways. Tape the edge of the paper together, leave 1 inch untaped at the bottom. Fold and tape to a point at the top. Tear or cut the paper on the untaped end to make fins. Put the straw in the end that is not taped. Blow on the straw to launch your rocket.
	Talking it over How far can your rocket fly? Compare your flight distances to those of other people. Why do some rockets fly further than others? Where does the power for your rocket come from? What could you change to make your rocket fly further? Have you ever done something like this before?
	What's Happening Your rocket shows the famous Second Law of Motion - first realized by a scientist named Newton. The law says that when you apply a force on something it moves. A force is a push or a pull. When you blow on the straw the force of the air pushes the rocket.
	More Challenges Try to get your rocket to land in a designated recovery zone. Create your own rocket design. Try smaller or larger rockets or rockets made from different types of paper.
	Activity Source Sherwood, Elizabeth. More Mudpies To Magnets: Science For Young Children. Maryland: Gryphon House, Inc., 1990.