Rocketry STEM Challenges Bundle: Forces & Variables

lesson overview

Launch your students into STEM with these rocketry challenges! The ultimate guide to all things rockets, this STEM challenge pack includes 5 different activities using common materials and connects to Newton's Laws and forces along with extension problems on variable testing and graphing.

Topics covered in rocketry STEM challenge:

* Forces & motion

* Newton's Third Law

* Engineering Design Process

* Angles

* Variables & testing

Activities Included:

(1) Paper Rocket Activity: Students make a paper rocket with the template provided and then launch with a smaller straw.

(2) Straw Rocket Challenge: Students design and build a straw rocket to be launched with a Pitsco straw rocket launcher. Students test different variables to achieve a mission: (1) longest distance or (2) hit a target.

(3)Balloon Rockets: Students are on a mission to pop a balloon taped to the wall. All they have is another balloon, string, tape, and various other materials. They will attach materials to their rocket and launch it along a string to pop the balloon.

(4)Heavy Lift Straw Rocket Challenge: Students design and build a straw rocket that mimics the Falcon Heavy rocket. It must hit a target and release a "space car" after launch. Variable Testing: Students select a variable to test in order to optimize for the longest distance.

(4)Heavy Lift Stomp Rocket Challenge:: Students design and build a stomp rocket to be launched with a stomp rocket launcher. You must either purchase a rocket launcher (we used this one (*Amazon Affiliate Link*) or build one. Students attempt to achieve the greatest flight time and launch a "space car".

This packet includes:

- Detailed educator guide with links to resources

- Student handouts including Forces on a Rocket & Intro to Rocket Science

- Student recording packet for each step of the engineering design process

- Science extension activities to test and graph how different variables affect the distance

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