Articulating Stomp Rocket System RKT-210

2016 Educational Innovations, Inc. Phone (203) 74-TEACH (83224) 5 Francis J. Clarke Circle Fax (203) 229-0740 Bethel, CT 06801 1 www.TeacherSource.com

Introduction:

The Articulating Stomp Rocket (ASR) system offers your students a chance to explore dozens of variables (which are a great topic of discussion). These simple rockets take science out of the classroom, create real world activities that illustrate important science concepts, inspire open-ended questions, and span the spectrum of Bloom’s Taxonomy as far as you want to take it.

These sturdy materials and lessons—which were created by Paul V. Reyna of Garland, Texas (Multiple Award Winning Teacher, Texas State Teacher of the Year Finalist)—can be modified for use in classes from kindergarten to 12th grade. Stomp Rockets are the type of fun, hands-on activities that will leave your students asking for more.

In your kit, you will find:

instructions on how to assemble your ASR launch pad

10 distance marker flags

a protractor for measuring angles

a rocket template to reproduce for students

step-by-step rocket assembly instructions (and a link to a helpful YouTube video)

4 lessons complete with student worksheets

Once assembled, your Articulating Stomp Rocket system will provide years of service from tough durable components.

NOTE:

Your students will need to bring the soda bottles that can be recycled when finished. Most brands of soda bottles work with the Articulating Stomp Rocket system. We recommend these sizes: 2 liter, 20 oz., 16.9 oz. Other sizes will also work with surprisingly similar results!

With the Articulating Stomp Rocket System, you

can cover these concepts:

gravity potential energy

kinetic energy gravitational energy energy transfer

volume displacement

cause and effect force

unbalanced forces speed

time distance air resistance drag graphing

angles Newton’s First Law of Motion Newton’s Second Law of Motion Newton’s

Third Law of Motion

Newton’s Law of Gravity

trajectories velocity

aerodynamics flight

vectors variables

and more!

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How to Build Your Rockets

Materials:

One sheet of colored paper

Scissors

White glue

Hot glue gun (low temperature)

8" length of PVC pipe (with ½ inch circumference)

Getting Started:

1. Make enough copies of the Rocket Template (page 4) for your entire class. Anticipate needing extra copies in case of errors.

2. If possible, make copies using different colored papers. This will enable students to trade sections with classmates for a more colorful look. Good quality paper works best.

3. You can watch the steps to building the paper rocket here:

https://youtu.be/4V93OgxhzjU

Body Tube

4. Cut the top section (A) of the Rocket Template on page 4. Dimensions should be 6" x 8.5".

5. Roll the paper around a piece of PVC pipe until one complete revolution has been made.

6. Place just enough white glue on the paper to spread a light, even layer on the sheet with your finger. (This will give it strength and make it less wrinkled.) Avoid getting glue on the PVC pipe.

7. Gently roll the glued paper onto the pipe until you have a complete tube.

8. Make sure the seam is glued down firmly.

9. Remove the paper tube from the PVC pipe and stand it upright. For best results, let it dry completely. (If the tube begins to lose its shape, place it onto the PVC pipe again to get the shape back.)

Nose Cone

10. The nose cone section (B) should be cut to 5" x 6" as per the Rocket Template on page 4.

11. Begin to make a cone by twisting the paper while keeping the tip tight. Do not let the tip pass the 1" mark. It should resemble the bottom of an ice cream cone.

12. Once you are sure that the open end of the cone is slightly larger than the body tube, use a bit of glue along the seam only. Hold in place for a minute to let the glue set.

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How to Build Your Rockets

continued

Fins

13. The rocket fins section (C) should consist of the remaining 5" X 2.5" of the template on page 4. From this section, cut out three identical-sized fins.

14. Encourage your students to modify the size and shape of their fins—after all, this is one of the many variables they can test!

Assembly

15. When the body tube, nose cone, and fins are made, begin your rocket assembly.

16. Place the nose cone onto the body tube to take a measurement.

17. Cut off any parts of the cone which hang down lower than ½" below the tube.

18. Remove the cone and place a ring of glue on the body tube rim. Then replace the nose cone and gently twist to ensure good adhesion.

19. Once you’ve confirmed that the nose cone is centered, set it aside to dry.

20. The three fins should be hot glued* to the body tube at the bottom of the rocket. The fins should be glued at equal distances from each other and placed at similar heights so that the fins support the rocket. NOTE: You can also bend each fin by ⅛" on the flat side (where the fin meets the rocket body) and use regular glue in a similar configuration.

* Only the teacher should handle the

low-temperature glue gun.

The rocket is now complete and ready for launch!

21. The ASR launching system is a comprised of a series of PVC pipe segments (with ½" circumference). Some of these segments have fittings that can be articulated to a vast number of positions. See page 5 for an illustration of how the pieces should be assembled.

22. Firmly push the bottle onto the launch apparatus until it fits snugly.

23. Use the protractor to choose an angle, and stomp!

To ensure a good pressure fit, we suggest wrapping 4-5 layers of transparent tape 1½" above the end of the pipe (where the bottle will be attached). Tape should be semi-overlapping. See diagram on page 5 for details.

These soda bottle sizes work best:

2 liter 20 oz 16.9 oz

*

*

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Rocket Template

Rocket Body Tube (A)

6 inches

Nose Cone (B)

6 inches

Fins (C)

2.5 inches

Roll the nose cone tip to this mark.

Instructions online at https://youtu.be/4V93OgxhzjU

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Rocket Launch Pad

Attach paper rocket here.

Attach plastic bottle here.

For a good pressure fit, wrap 4-5 semi-overlapping layers of

transparent tape approximately 1½" above the end of the pipe

where the bottle will be attached.

2½"

8¼"

4¼" 4¼"

8¼"

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Using Your Articulating Stomp Rocket and Launch Pad

1. Put the launch pad components together, following the diagram on page 5.

2. After you’ve added several layers of tape to the end of the launcher, carefully attach the bottle so that it fits snugly on the tube.

3. Place the finished paper rocket onto the articulating launch tube. Take care not to force it onto the tube; it should slide down easily.

4. Use the protractor to set the launch tube at the desired angle.

5. Prior to launching the rocket, distances should be marked in 10-foot increments. You may use the 10 distance marker flags for rough estimates. (Using a 100-ft. measuring tape is the most accurate method.)

6. Before launching the rocket, please ensure that all students are wearing safety glasses.

7. Stomp sharply on the bottle to launch the rocket.

8. Record the rocket’s distance and time.

9. Have students re-inflate the bottles before each “stomp.” The bottles do not need to be fully inflated to work well.

10. You should be able to use the same bottle for a great number of launches. Please recycle the bottles when they crack or can no longer be re-used for stomping.

Have fun!

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Lesson 1 Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

These are Sir Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion:

1. An object at rest stays at rest. An object in motion stays in motion (in a straight line) until acted on by another force. This is also known as the Law of Inertia: objects want to keep doing what they are doing.

2. Force = Mass x Acceleration (F = ma)

3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the space below (or on the back of this page), explain how each of Newton’s Laws apply to a rocket launch or anywhere that movement takes place.

Newton’s First Law of Motion:

Newton’s Second Law of Motion:

Newton’s Third Law of Motion:

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Lesson 2 What’s Your Angle?

Problem:

What angle will produce the best flight for my recyclable paper rocket?

Hypothesis:

If I test various angles for launching my Stomp Rocket,

then I believe that an angle of _____ degrees will

allow my rocket to fly the longest distance.

Materials:

Articulating Stomp Rocket launcher, pre-made paper rocket, 100 ft. tape measure, protractor, soda bottle * Use the same rocket for consistency on this activity.

Experiment:

Attach the soda bottle onto the Stomp Rocket launcher.

Rest the protractor against the articulating joint.

Place the paper rocket on the Stomp Rocket lift-off tube.

Articulate the rocket and tube to the desired angle, using the protractor.

Stomp sharply on the bottle to launch your rocket.

Record the angle used and the distance traveled in the data table below.

Observations:

Angle of Launches

Group 90

degrees 67.5

degrees 45

degrees 22.5

degrees

A ft. ft. ft. ft.

B ft. ft. ft. ft.

C ft. ft. ft. ft.

D ft. ft. ft. ft.

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Lesson 2 What’s Your Angle?

continued

What else did you observe?

List some variables you noticed.

Conclusion:

How do your results compare to your hypothesis? Explain.

Name one of Newton’s Laws of Motion that you saw in action. Explain.

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Lesson 3 Speed Calculations and Graphing

Problem:

Find the speed of your rocket by using the distance and flight time. Hypothesis:

If I launch my Stomp Rocket, then I believe it

should travel _____ feet per second.

Materials:

Stomp Rocket launcher, pre-made paper rocket, 100 ft. tape measure, soda bottle, timer. Experiment:

Attach the soda bottle onto the Stomp Rocket launcher.

Place the paper rocket on the Stomp Rocket lift-off tube.

Using the best angle possible, stomp sharply on the bottle to launch your rocket.

Begin the timer as soon as you stomp on the bottle. Stop the timer when the rocket lands.

Record the distance traveled and the flight duration (time traveled) in data table below.

Perform three separate flights.

Make your speed calculation using this formula:

Observations:

Trial Distance Traveled

Time Traveled

Show Your Math

Speed of Rocket (in feet per second)

1

2

3

There are many variables that could change results of this test. In the space below, list at least three different things (variables) that might have an impact on your results

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Lesson 3 Speed Calculations and Graphing

continued

Below, make a simple X-Y bar graph to report your results.

My Speed in a Graph

Distance in feet

________

1 2 3 Average

Trials

Conclusion:

How do your results compare to your hypothesis?

What is something interesting that you learned?

Where did you see Newton’s Laws of Motion in action? Explain.

Extension:

What other labs could we create using the Stomp Rocket system?

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Lesson 4 Class Speed Calculations

Trial Distance Traveled

Time Traveled

Show Your Math

Speed of Rocket (in feet per second)

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

After making your data sheet and completing your speed calculations, describe something funny that happened during the launch. Did you have fun?

Where did you see Newton’s Laws of Motion in action? Explain.

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Teacher Notes

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Take Your Lesson Further

As science teachers ourselves, we know how much effort goes into preparing lessons. For us, “Teachers Serving Teachers” isn’t just a slogan—it’s our promise to you!

Please visit our website for more lesson ideas:

Check our blog for classroom-tested teaching plans on dozens of topics:

To extend your lesson, consider these Educational Innovations products:

Quest Water Rocket System (RKT-700) The Quest Water Rocket system is designed for hours of fun and education. The Launch System includes a sturdy tripod base, pre-assembled pressure chamber, 15 foot pull cord, ground stake, and color assembly and use instructions. (Rockets are sold separately.) The Water Rocket Class Pack is ideal for scout projects, school experiments, and parties. See website for all options.

Mighty Seltzer Rocket (RKT-555) This cleverly designed rocket with nose cone and fins will travel 20 to 30 feet into the air. Simply pour in water, drop in a seltzer tablet, replace the end cap, and the rocket is prepared for launch. To activate, invert the rocket, place it on a flat surface, and move away.

3-2-1 Blast Off! Kit (PHY-321) Our 3-2-1 Blast Off! workshop on forces and energy has become a standing-room-only event at NSTA conferences. Over the years, hundreds of teachers have asked us to develop a kit that bundles our much-loved demonstrations of things that go ‘bump’ in the day! Kit includes comprehensive teaching instructions of Newton’s Laws and enough hands-on components for up to 10 students.