Mini Missions: Estes Stomp Rockets

Grades 3-12 (modify as appropriate); 110 – 150 min

Topics Covered

Stomp Rockets, Angles, Trajectory, Drag, Forces of Flight

Overview

This stomp rocket lesson starts with a creative, meaningful activity that lets students express their identity through a paper rocket they build. Then students explore how variables like launch angle and drag affect how far and how fast objects move through the air.

Activity 1: This Rocket is Us (30-40 min) - In pairs, students will get creative as they design a rocket that expresses who they are and get to know a classmate. The goal is not flight performance (yet!) but self-expression, teamwork, sharing, and building classroom community.

Activity 2: Angle Attack (40-55 min) - Students will investigate how the angle of launch affects the distance a rocket travels. Students will measure results and analyze data to determine which launch angle made their rocket travel the longest distance.

Activity 3: Drag Effects (40-55 min) - Students will investigate the force of drag on their stomp rockets. Students will make predictions, measure results, and analyze data to examine how increasing the drag on a rocket during flight will affect distance and time the rocket is in the air.

Materials

Activity 1: This Rocket is Us

  • Estes Stomp Rocket Template
  • Crayons or markers
  • Scissors
  • Clear tape
  • Estes Stomp Rocket Bulk Pack (Don’t add the streamer until Activity 3)

Activity 2: Angle Attack

  • Safety goggles
  • Completed Estes Stomp Rockets
  • Stomp Rocket Launchers (Recommended to have 2-3 per class)
  • Estes Education Angle Guide
  • Masking tape
  • Tape measure / meter stick

Activity 3: Drag Effects

  • Safety goggles
  • Completed Estes Stomp Rockets
  • Stomp Rocket Launchers (Recommended to have 2-3 per class)
  • Estes Education Angle Guide
  • Timer
  • Tape measure / meter stick
  • Masking tape
  • Clear tape
  • Streamers (from Estes Stomp Rocket Bulk Pack)

Standards

NGSS_logo

3-PS2-1

Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

3-PS2-2

Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

4-PS3-1

Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

4-PS3-4

Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

5-PS2-1

Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

3-5-ETS1-2

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

MS-PS2-2

Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

MS-ETS1-3

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

HS-PS2-1

Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

Estes-LP2-06

Live, Online Training and 1:1 Support!

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Learn About Model Rocket Safety!

Not sure how to safely launch a rocket with your group? Head over to our dedicated Safety instructions page for videos, support, and more!
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