Set up a target the size of a dart board (about 2 feet in diameter.) Stand 5 feet away and try to hit it with your rocket. Can you make your rocket hit the target every time?

Once you've hit the target 5-10 consecutive times try one of the following Challenges:

# of Breaths Challenge - It's very important that launch angle is the same for each launch.

  1. Fill the balloon with three breaths of air, launch the rocket, and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  2. Now fill the balloon with four breaths of air, launch the rocket and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  3. Continue with 5, 6, and 7 breaths.
  4. Plot the distance traveled against number of breaths. X axis is number of breaths and Y axis is distance traveled.

Launch Angle Challenge It's very important that you always use the same number of breaths for each launch.

Use a book to prop rocket and a protractor to measure and position launch angle.

  1. Launch rocket at a 30 degrees and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  2. Launch rocket at a 45 degrees and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  3. Launch rocket at a 60 degrees and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  4. Launch rocket at a 90 degrees and measure how far it travels.
    Repeat 3 times.
    Find the MEAN average.
  5. Plot the distance traveled against launch angle. X axis is launch angle and Y axis is distance traveled.

Last modified: Monday, May 16, 2011, 11:42 AM