Estes Education is committed to bringing you lessons that inspire your students. Explore our materials, including curriculum-aligned lesson plans and youth program guides. Since rocketry is so much more than STEM, our resources make it easy to add rockets to your classroom or camp!
1. Identify Your Lesson or Activity
2. Pick the Perfect Rocket
There are several things to consider when deciding which rocket is best for your group of students:
Age
For younger students, we recommend snap-together rockets that require fewer assembly steps and little to no gluing. As rocketeers get older, they develop the dexterity and patience for more intermediate and advanced rockets.
Time
Consider how much time you have for both building and launching. Intermediate and advanced rockets require glue drying time and additional prep before launch. If your schedule is tight, a beginner rocket is the perfect choice.
Launch Area
The rocket engine you select determines the size of the launch area required. Our smallest engines (½A or A) need a 100-foot square area. Each subsequent engine size (B, C, etc.) doubles in power, which means you’ll need to double your launch space as well.
If launching isn’t possible, there are still plenty of hands-on activities to explore, such as using our Rocket Stability Kit.
3. Choose Your Engine
Estes Industries is known for our solid-propellant model rocket engines. These engines provide a consistent, safe, and reliable way to launch model rockets. They come in various sizes and are single-use. Single-stage ½A, A, and B engines are an excellent starting point for new rocketeers.
Another great option for beginners is the Blast Off Bulk Pack, which includes a variety of engines for testing and experimentation.
Many rockets can use multiple engine types, so understanding our 3-part engine labeling system is key:
Total Impulse
The first part of the code is a letter (A–F) that designates the total impulse, or the relative power, of the engine. Rocket engines double in power with each succeeding letter. For example, a B engine is twice as powerful as an A engine, and an A engine is twice as powerful as a ½A.
Average Thrust
The number following the letter indicates the average thrust of the engine. A higher number means more thrust and a faster liftoff. This matters for several reasons:
- On windy days, higher thrust helps the rocket clear the launch area quickly.
- Heavier rockets or payload-carrying rockets need higher thrust to lift off safely.
- High thrust produces more drag, so these rockets may not reach the same altitude as lower-thrust engines.
Time Delay
The final number indicates the time delay in seconds before the recovery system (parachute or streamer) is deployed. A longer delay is ideal for lightweight rockets or calm weather, allowing for higher altitude before deployment. A shorter delay is best for windy conditions or two-stage rockets, ensuring safe recovery and proper staging.
4. Get Your Accessories and Supplies
Launch Requirements
To launch your rocket, you will need a launch pad and controller. We recommend our Lifetime Launch System, which includes a controller, launch pad, and a lifetime limited warranty.
In addition, every launch requires starters, plugs, and recovery wadding.
- Starters heat the propellant to ignite the engine. A battery-powered launch controller sends an electric current to the starter in the engine nozzle. Proper placement is essential for successful ignition.
- Plugs hold the starters securely in place within the engine.
- Recovery Wadding is flame-resistant material packed between the engine and the recovery system (parachute or streamer). It protects the recovery system from hot gases during ejection.
All Estes Education bulk engine packs include starters, plugs, and recovery wadding. However, it’s often helpful to order extra supplies—just in case.
Analyzing Altitude
Many Estes Education lessons involve tracking the altitude of your model rocket.
- The AltiTrak is a gravity protractor that uses simple geometry to measure height. It comes in two sizes: regular and mini (perfect for younger rocketeers).
- An altimeter is a slim, lightweight device with an LCD display that measures altitude directly. It is placed inside the rocket for accurate readings.
Additional Requirements
Each rocket kit includes detailed instructions and lists any additional materials needed for assembly. Common supplies include:
- Scissors, pencil, and ruler
- Sandpaper and hobby knife
- Tape, plastic cement, and carpenter’s glue
- Paint for finishing touches
Many of these items are available on our website or at your local hobby store.
5. Build Your Rockets
Follow Instructions
Before building rockets with students, we recommend thoroughly reading the instructions and building one or two rockets yourself first. This ensures you have all the materials, fully understand the steps, and can provide a visual reference for your students.
When building with your group, consider the age and abilities of your students. Some may do well working at their own pace, while others may benefit from following the instructions step by step as a class. Always follow the instructions as closely as possible for the best results.
Assemble Carefully
Rocket kits contain small parts that can be easily misplaced. Provide trays or cups for students to hold their pieces during assembly.
Many rockets require glue, and using the correct type of glue is crucial:
- Plastic cement for connecting plastic pieces, such as attaching a nose cone.
- Yellow wood glue for paper-to-paper connections, such as installing an engine block inside a body tube.
Wood glue sets quickly on paper joints, so parts like the engine block or engine mount must be positioned in a single, smooth motion. Encourage students to test-fit all parts before gluing, and allow glue to fully dry before moving on to the next step.
Get Creative
The final step in any rocket build is adding personal design touches.
- Some rockets come pre-colored and only require a few decals or stickers.
- Others need to be painted before decals are applied.
- Models like the Cosmic Ray are blank canvases, perfect for students to create their own unique designs.
Encourage students to take pride in their work and express creativity with their final touches!
Looking for expert guidance to make your rocket-building experience smooth and successful? Check out the Estes Education Build Series videos! These step-by-step tutorials walk you through essential techniques, pro tips, and best practices for assembling your model rockets with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time builder or a seasoned rocketeer, our videos make learning hands-on skills simple—and fun.
6. Prepare Your Rockets for Launch
Now that your rockets are complete, we recommend preparing as much as possible ahead of time and before heading outside.
Recovery System
- Crumple the appropriate amount of wadding as listed in the instructions and insert it into the body tube.
- Fold the parachute or roll the streamer, and then place it into the body tube.
- Close the body tube with the nose cone.
Rocket Engine
- Place the starter tip into the exhaust port of the engine (the side with the large clay nozzle). Insert the tip as far as it can go— the starter must touch the propellant to ignite the engine.
- Use the plug to hold the starter securely in place.
Payloads
Payloads are cargo—equipment, goods, or materials—carried by a rocket. Some rockets, like the Green Eggs, include a dedicated payload section, which allows for exciting experiments such as monitoring altitude with an altimeter or launching and recovering an intact egg safely.
This is the step where you should load your rocket with your payload:
- If the rocket has a payload section, place the item inside it.
- If the rocket does not have a payload section and you are using an altimeter, attach the altimeter to the nose cone and pack it into the body tube with the recovery system.
Not sure how to properly prepare your rocket for launch? Our “How to Install the Starter” video takes the guesswork out of ignition setup. Follow along as we show you the correct way to install starters safely and securely, so your model rocket is ready for a smooth, successful launch every time. Perfect for both new rocketeers and classroom demonstrations!
7. Get Your Group Ready to Launch
Choose the Launch Location
- Stay away from power lines, buildings, tall trees, and areas with low-flying aircraft.
- School athletic fields or parks are adequate for small rockets, but always consider the rocket engine size before selecting your launch site.
Setting Up Your Launch for a Class or Large Group
Establish clear launch rules before heading to the launch area! Rules can include:
- Determining the launch order
- Designating spectator locations
- Assigning who will launch and recover the rocket (we suggest the rocket’s builder)
We recommend using tables and cones to designate both a launch area and a viewing area, as shown below. Only launch crew members should be near the launch site during liftoff.
Need Help?
Need a hand or have a question? Our team is here to help—contact us and we’ll get you back to building and launching in no time!
Before you head to the launch pad, make sure you know the rules of safe rocketry. Our “How to Fly Safely” video walks you through essential safety tips and best practices, helping you enjoy every launch with confidence while following NAR safety guidelines.
8. Launch!
You Are Prepped and Ready to Fly!
Watch the video below for additional tips on how to successfully launch rockets with a group of students.
