This project is a mini version of the big stomp rockets we like to do at reDiscover, and can be stomped or smashed with your hands to send a rocket, bird, plane, or flying saucer to the sky!
Note: Make sure no planes, satellites, or siblings are in the blast zone before firing.
STEP 1 - Gather Your Materials
- Water bottle
- Duct tape for launcher, clear tape for rocket
- Tube (large straw, 3/4" PVC pipe, or plastic page divider rolled around a marker)
- Paper
- Scissors
- Markers/Crayons
STEP 2 - Assemble the Launcher
Use a large tube, piece of 3/4" PVC pipe, or make a tube by rolling a plastic page divider around a marker and taping it in place. Insert the tube into the water bottle and duct tape it in place.
If you wish, you can add additional tubes at angles to change the direction of your rocket's launch.
STEP 3 - Assemble the Rocket
Take a piece of paper and roll it into a cylinder, then tape it in place (using your launcher tube as a mold to roll it around is helpful for getting the size right). Either fold one end over and tape it in place, or cut out and attach a nose cone. Add fins if you'd like a rocket, or wings to turn it into a bird! Decorate!
STEP 4 - Take Off!
Slide your rocket onto the launcher, then stomp or squash the bottle with your hands to make it fly! If you're having trouble getting it to launch, make sure you don't have any leaks in your rocket, and that the paper isn't too lose or too tight on the launcher.
To reinflate the bottle, either reshape it with your hands, or blow it up using a germ barrier like a plastic sandwich bag with a hole cut in it, which can be placed over the tube before putting your mouth on it. Make sure each person who wants to inflate the bottle has their own bag and label them.
Make changes to your rocket and try it again, or make a new one with different designs, and enjoy your new division of JPL.
