Slingshot Straw Rockets - Engineering Projects for Kids

Simple and inexpensive to build. The slingshot rocket may take a little practice to use, but the payoff is well worth it as you launch it over 50'!

You can find the lesson plan, 1-page project sheet, and more project ideas at STEM-Inventions.com

Supplies

Materials:

• Large straws
• Rubber band
• Craft stick
• Paper fastener
• Card stock
• Masking tape (Dispenser)
• Pencil eraser

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Step 1: Tips and Troubleshooting

If the rocket is colliding with the stick, then...

• Make sure to follow the launch technique that's shown in the video: hold the stick upright, and allow it to flick forward upon release.
• The fins may be too large, or attached at a very crooked angle. Redesign the shape, size, or position.
• You might be using a short rubber band. Longer rubber bands help avoid this collision.

If the rocket is not flying very far, then...

• Stretch out the rubber band more before launching it.
• Aim upward at a 45-degree angle before launching.
• Make sure to follow the launch technique that's shown in the video.

If the rocket is not flying straight, then...

• The fins are probably attached at a crooked angle. Remove them, and carefully reattach them so they are as perfectly straight as possible.

Comments

[32lcookdubin]

can you put a fastest small water craft challenge?

[skylar.johnson]

how long did you experiment with it

[escovill]

Are there not PDF instructions?? I thought that was the whole premise of paying for the membership....

[LanceMakes]

Hi - you may want to contact the Instructables team about how to download PDFs of Instructables. I don't have an answer for that.

[DebbiT4]

what if i can't view video?

[24klvarela]

Mine went over 120 ft

[rokewhit]

made this with 6 and 4 year old grandchildren. 6 yr old successful in launching it himself. Very cool. Thanks a bunch.

[random_builder]

Where did the instructions go? They aren't there. The video works, though.

[LanceMakes]

The video contains the instructions :)

[random_builder]

I guess this doesn't need instructions if it has ones on a video. I got your book and tried to make this. It failed miserably, so I will have to try again with video instructions. I will post how it comes out.

[LanceMakes]

Feel free to post pictures and/or share what went wrong. Happy to help if I can.

[DonnaBorgerding]

There was a video for this project, but now it has disapeared. Can you tell me how to view it?

Thanks!

[LanceMakes]

Thanks for alerting me. I'm also having this issue. I've created a bug report in the forums, and will hopefully have this resolved soon.

[PK019]

I purchased a membership on the premise that the download button would give you access to the the full instructions of this activity. What is seen on the page is what you get in the download along with the choice of whether you want comments and/or common activities (why I would want to waste data on downloading comments?). While it is buyer beware, the membership of this site does not offer the bang for the buck you spend. Lesson learned.

This is a great video and project, written steps would be beneficial.

[obasan]

Thanks! Just made a sample, and will be using this in my class tomorrow.

[heidi.underhill.1]

Thanks! My class is making this tomorrow:-)

[HollyW2]

This is a wonderful site!!! Can't wait to try these projects with my students..

[MilaB]

made it

[bdoorah]

i love your projects. i tried 3 of them with my students. I am confused which project to start with. Can you please tell me the Sequence of them according to your objectives?

[LanceMakes]

Greetings,

I recommend running these projects in this order:

Geometric shapes, pyramid catapult, slingshot rocket, slingshot car, rubber band helicopter, cork shooter, crash test car, tornado tower, hydraulic machine.

Good luck!