Soda Bottle Rocket Launcher($13.97) A Child's Smile(PRICELESS!)

YES, another great STEM activity with a new twist to the “egg-drop”…

Students are tasked to design and construct a soda bottle H2O rocket, successfully launch with its (egg) payload and recover unbroken (See Step 14 - Design Brief).

We spend time initially discussing the "design process". There are many versions, but the majorities have several steps in common: problem statement; defining criteria; research; brain-storming; modeling; testing; improvements; manufacture...

Many valuable lessons that can be incorporated into unit, i.e. Newton's Laws of Motion, Trigonometry, English-to-Metric Conversion, Statistics.

Concepts covered:
Engineers develop models to evaluate possible solutions.
Knowledge gained in other disciplines impact development of products & systems.

Lessons Learned:
Research & development are problem-solving techniques widely used in the business world & technology.

Application:
Students will apply research and the design process to solve problems in and beyond the classroom...

 

Step 1 Constructing Launch Pad

To level the “playing field”, I constructed the launch pad… the materials you’ll require, with the exception of the tire valve, can be found at building supply or hardware stores.

10 feet - 1/2" PVC Pipe Schedule 40 (DON’T CONFUSE WITH CPVC) 

(1)  2” Long Piece, 1-1/2” PVC Pipe Schedule 40  

(4) 1/2” Slip End Caps

(2) 1/2” Slip Tees

(1) 1/2" Tee, Slip & Internal Thread

(1) 1/2" Adapter, Slip & External Thread

NOTE: THE INTERNAL & EXTERNAL THREADED PARTS ALLOW DISASSEMBLING FOR EASY STORAGE.

(1) Small Can PVC Cement

(1) Small Can  PVC Cleaner

(2) Hose Clamps w/at least 2” Diameter

(9) Multi-Purpose/Zip-Ties, minimum 8” Long                                                             

(1) Small Roll Duct Tape

(1) Small Roll Teflon Tape

(1) Small Roll of 2” Painter or Masking Tape

(1) Tire Valve/Stem – Local Automotive Supply Store

15 feet Twine or Thin Rope

(2) 2-Liter Soda Bottles

 

TOOLS:

Tape Measure & Pencil

Hand Saw (Hack-saw, Back-Saw, or X-Cut)

Portable Drill

1/2", 3/16” & 1/4" Twist Drill Bits

Pliers

Heat Gun or Candle

Scissors or X-Acto Knife

Air Pump w/Pressure Gauge or Air Compressor

Comments

[Felreaver]

This is by far the coolest project in my opinion thank you very much for such a wonderful idea.

[desperado dave]

thanks...have fun! A lot of fun on hot summer day...

[wilgubeast]

That is awesome. Thanks for including rubrics and a picture of such an enthusiastic rocket scientist.

[desperado dave]

You're welcome...RS is our grandson, Ethan!

[joen]

Oh yes does it ever! Some how I had it turned around so that the trigger spring was slid from the bottom up. Obviously that won't work. You said it quite plainly. It just didn't sink in. Makes sense now.

Thanks for the clarification.

Joen

[joen]

Hello,

Sorry but the coffee isn't stimulating the few brain cells that are left so I don't understand the need and function of the "trigger spring". Is it the middle part of a 2 liter bottle with the two holes cut in it? How exactly does it attach to the launcher and trigger and what exactly does it do?

Those answers may be clear to everyone else but I am stumped.

[desperado dave]

No problem Joen...the spring rests on the hose clamp that holds the zip-ties, underneath the 2-1/2 inch piece of PVC (trigger). Its purpose is to hold the "trigger" in place until you pull the string...otherwise the trigger will slide down, releasing the zip-ties. If not for the spring, you'd have to physically hold the "trigger" up and around the zip-ties. Hope that helps...

DD