Science

Build a rocket

by Fellowship Agency June 8, 2018

This #WhatsInMyTray activity is the perfect way to get your students practicing their STEM skills while being creative in designing a rocket that will fly the furthest or hit a specific target.

You will need…

  • One jumbo Gratnells tray with lid to hold all equipment.
  • For the launcher
    • Empty 2 litre bottle (e.g. coca cola bottle)
    • 1 roll duct tape
    • 40cm PVC pipe with ½-inch diameter
    • 1m of clear flexible vinyl tubing (½- inch inner diameter,  5/8-inch outer)
  • For the rocket
    • 1 piece A4 paper
    • 1 piece A4 card
    • 1 piece 30cm piece of the same PVC pipe used above per person
    • 1 pair scissors
    • 1 roll sticky tape
    • 1 felt tip pen (for decorating!)

What to do…

  • Using only the contents of the tray, make one rocket launcher and one rocket. You do not have to use every item in the tray, you are free to pick and choose the items you feel will make the best rocket and launcher.
  • You have a maximum of 5 minutes to build your rocket and launcher.
  • The aim is to build a rocket that travels the furthest, so make sure your rocket is aerodynamic.
  • Once the time has elapsed, launch your rocket AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE and measure how far it travels.
  • Pull your rocket and launcher apart and place all equipment back into the Gratnells trays ready for the next participant.

Health and Safety

As with all Gratnells What’s In My Tray Activities, you should carry out your own risk assessment and health & safety measurements prior to undertaking any of the activities with children. When launching your rockets, please ensure you are launching away from other people and nothing or no one is obstructing the direction of travel.