Featured Outreach Activity: Stomp Rockets

Launcher_Build_Instructions
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swe_rocket_launcher_add.png
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nose_cone_template.pdf
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The rocket launchers are built and the SWE rocket launcher add (an additional PVC pipe section) are built also. 
Prep for this activity is very easy, inventory and make sure have enough construction paper, tape, fins and nose cones (the nose cone template is cut out of cardboard and scissors are used on construction paper to cut that shape and then tape the ends together into a cone shape).
Supplies:

• Empty, clean and dry 2-liter bottles (with proper technique, the same bottle can be used repeatedly - maybe 20 or more launches)
• Prepped nose cones (or if this is for a longer activity project, then nose cone templates for kids to make their own).
• Colored construction paper
• Scotch tape (rolls or pop-up scotch tape sets)
• Launchers and either pipe or bike pump and nozzle to re-inflate 2-liter bottles
• Straight pipe templates for rolling rocket body into cylinder

Kids/participant build and launch instructions:

1. Introduction on rockets, Newton's 2nd law, inventory of kids rocket build supplies
2. Construct rocket body:
   1. Prepare piece of tape to secure rocket body once rolled into shape
   2. Using pipe to roll construction paper into 8 and 1/2 long rocket body
   3. Hold in cylinder until tape is used to set cylinder shape
   4. Finish applying tape along seam of cylinder
3. IMPORTANT: Apply tape across one of the cylinder openings to seal it so no air can go through
4. Tape nose cone over the sealed end of the rocket body. Try to keep it pointing straight. Many techniques are done to do this. Here are a descriptions of a handful:
   1. Tape one side, then on the opposite side tape with same pressure so end result is like an arrow.
   2. Apply tape on the inside of the cone so that it sticks to the tape that is sealing the top of the rocket body cylinder.
5. Tape three parallelogram shaped fins to the other end of the rocket body so the fins point down.
6. LAUNCH:
   1. Ensure the rocket launcher is built and has no leaks, Have an empty and expanded bottle (full of air) at the stomp end of the launcher.
   2. Ready the participant to know to stomp on the MIDDLE of the bottle and look at the rocket and out along where the rocket is expected to go, instead of at their foot.
   3. Participant readies rocket at the launch end.
   4. On count, or when ready, stomp on the MIDDLE of the bottle to push the air.
   5. Watch the rocket FLY.