Going Further

• Try making a rocket with a different number of fins, like three or five.
  
  
• When launching the rocket, try pointing the rocket at different angles.
  
  
• Try making a rocket with different kinds of paper to see if it goes faster.
  

Background Science

Glider Boy Video
See a video of a boy who is enthusiastic about making gliders from Teacher’s Domain.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/phy03/sci/phys/mfw/zglidboy/index.html
Ages: 5+

NASA’s Rocket Aerodynamics site for Kids
Learn some basics about rocket aerodynamics like lift, drag, weight, and thrust.
http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/rktaero.html
Ages: 11+

NASA’s Beginner’s Guide to Rockets
Learn basic math and physics that govern the design and flight of rockets.
http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/bgmr.html
Ages: 11+

Projectile Simulation
Use this interactive to explore the properties of projectile motion—the motion of an object thrown or projected into the air at an angle.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resources/hew06/sci/phys/maf/projmotion/index.html
Ages: 11+

Exploratorium - How to Make an Inclinometer
This activity provides instructions for building inclinometers which are devices that measure the height of a distant object.
http://nsdl.exploratorium.edu/nsdl/showRecord.do?id=10964
Ages: 9+

Projectile Motion to the Rescue
Use this website to learn more about the math and physics involved in projectiles launched via catapults in the Module Overview section.
http://www.ncsec.org/cadre2/team29_2/catapult/catapult_module.html
Ages: Educators

Back to Bottle Blast Off videos