Wonderstruck Compressed Air Rocket Workshop

Build a rocket that can travel over a 100 metres using just paper card and tape!

This workshop involves participants working in teams of three or pairs or even individually to design and build their very own compressed air powered rocket.  

The session starts with an introduction to the science behind the activity.  We can use the Wonderstruck Hoverchair and some of our finest alcohol powered rockets to demonstrate Newton's Third Law of Motion.  We also cover aerodynamics and why drag can be a good thing when you're using fins to stabilise your rocket.

In their teams, participants then design and build a rocket with the aim of getting it to travel the furthest possible distance.  With smaller groups we may encourage them to make predictions about how their rocket will fly based on their scientific knowledge and then compare that with what happens in reality.

The whole session ends with an exciting competition to find the ultimate champions (winners cups are supplied!).

We can run this workshop with up to 1000 participants and with age groups from 4 to adult - although preferably not at the same time.

The standard version of the workshop takes about 90 minutes with 150 participants, slightly longer with larger groups.

Our rockets can travel in excess of 100 metres when launched at full pressure but we appreciate that not all schools have the space to accommodate this range with the necessary safety margin.  Our launchers can be used at reduced pressure and reduced launch angle so they can be launched in spaces as small as a decent sized sports hall.

Specific learning outcomes are differentiated according to the age group participating in the workshop.  With very young groups, for example, we may just focus on how the rocket produces a 'push' to make it move and with older or more able groups we may bring in advanced concepts like 'centre of pressure.'

In general, the activity involves:

• Understanding the basic idea of Newton's Third Law of Motion
• Understanding 'drag'
• Understanding the relationship between the shape of a rocket and how it performs in the air

The STEM Directory is provided as a service to support you in finding enrichment opportunities. The activities are offered by external providers and are not endorsed by STEM Learning. We are not responsible for their content or delivery.