Plastic Rocket

Project goals:
The objective of this activity is to design, build and launch a rocket made out of a plastic bottle and powered with an air pump.

Learning objectives:
After the activity, students will be able to:
– Understand motions and forces that is the result of applying a force to an object
– Apply technological design in solving a problem
– Be familiar with scientific inquiry

Situated context of the problem:
The launch of rockets and other projectiles depend on the propulsion forces that can be created by different means like gas or liquid compression, explosion, etc. By completing this activity, students will learn about propulsion forces, gravity and other related forces and their effects when applied to objects.

Problem Statement: How can we create a rocket with a plastic bottle and an air pump that rises at least 5 meters in the air?