stomp rockets

8/6/2019 Stomp Rockets

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STOMP ROCKETSCredit: EAA Museum Education program

Concepts Illustrated:

(1) Forced air flight and Newton’s 3rd

Law

(2) Stability and aerodynamics of rocket structure

Time Requirements: 15-45 minutes (Depending on how much you have kids constructand what type of qualitative or quantitative analysis is done, if any during walk-up

activity)

Grade Level of Audience: This activity is primarily suited for kids in grades K-8.

I. Materials and Equipment Utilized(Materials needed for a group of 20 students)

1. 2-4 Stomp rocket launching apparatus (construction details are shownbelow). Materials needed for each rocket launcher:

1-10’ piece of ½” Schedule 40 PVC (with 2’ of waste) 1- ½” x½” 90

oelbow

4- ½” CPVC clamps

8- ½” wood screws 2- 3’ pieces of 1”x 3”

1-2 liter soda bottle duct tape

2. 11” x 14” pieces of paper for rocket bodies (construction details are listedbelow)

3. template for rocket fins (one copy needed for each student)4. small piece of carboard (one piece for each student, must be large enough to

provide rocket fins)5. 10 Scissors

6. 5 rolls of Scotch tape7. bag of cotton balls or box of plastic cellophane wrap (for nose cone)

8. markers for decorating

II. Description of Set-up and/or Construction of Apparatus

1. Construction of Stomp Rocket Launcher:

Cut the 10’ piece of PVC into 4’, 2’, 2’, and 2’ pieces. Lay the 4’ piece across the center of the two pieces of 1” x 3”,

such that, about 6” PVC hang over at both ends. Using wood screws, tightly clamp the pipe to each board using

two clamps. Either glue or friction fit the 90

oelbow to one end of the 4’ PVC

tube. Make sure the opening of the elbow is pointed verticallyupward.



Using a file, grinder, or rough surface (such as concrete orasphalt), taper one end of a 2’ piece of PVC (so the rockets will

slide on and off more easily). Either glue or friction fit the non-tapered end of the 2’ piece of

PVC into the open end of the 90o

elbow.

On the pipe end opposite the elbow, tape a 2-liter soda bottleusing the duct tape. Although the bottle can be stomped aminimum of 50 times, eventually you will have to replace it.

Thus, make a small tab in the duct tape so it may easily beremoved to exchange 2-liter bottles.

One of the extra 2’ pieces of ½” PVC should be used as aforming tube for the bodies of the rockets. If the PVC is used as

is, the rocket bodies will fit too tightly to launcher. In order tomodify the forming tube, simple wrap the entire tube with one

thickness of duct tape.

2. Making Rockets Roll the 11” x 17” piece of paper on the forming tube, such

that, the longest possible tube is formed. The piece of papershould be wrapped tightly. If it is mushy, re-wrap it.



Tape all along the seam to keep it from unwrapping.

The rocket body is now complete. After much use, if the seam shifts or becomes tattered,

simply slide the rocket body onto the forming tube, such thatonly about ½” of the tattered end hangs over the edge. Apply

a small strip of tape to both sides of the seam. Cut out the fins provided and fold on the dashed line,

bending the tabs in alternate directions.

Tape the fins to the bottom of the rocket tube. The top of the rocket must be closed so the blast of air from

the launcher will be trapped, pushing the rocket up. Withone’s thumb, push over ½” of the rocket tube. Then push on

the other side and push over the paper there. Now there aretwo peaks left. Fold those over one at a time too (shown

below). Now when the top is taped, the paper at the end willgive it sufficient strength.

One should make a rounded, soft nose cone for safety andefficiency. The softness of the nose will absorb some of the



shock as the rocket hits the ground so the rocket tube doesn’tget too banged up. This may be done using a cotton ball or

a small, wadded up, piece of clear plastic food wrap. Witha piece of tape, tape the cotton ball or ball of plastic to the top

of the rocket, as shown below. The tape will form an upside

down “U” with the middle curving around the top of theplastic ball and then ends taped to the rocket tube. Depending on time constraints, one may decorate one’s

rocket.

III. Details of Student Implementation

1. Care needs to be provided so that the rockets are not launched at people. Itmight be wise to cover up the 2-liter bottle launcher with a copy paper box

until the rocket has been placed for launch and the area is clear of otherstudents. The launcher MUST be initially tested outside. With some

modifications, one may test in tall ceiling buildings, such as hangars,auditoriums, and gymnasiums.2. After placing the rocket on the launcher, the person doing the launching

should stomp with ONE FOOT ON THE CENTER of the 2-liter bottle.

3. Time permitting and based on ability, analyses of height and time could bedone. Expanded lesson plans and student activities may be found in theSingle Visit lessons.

stomp rockets

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