| Building a rocket is one of the best science fair project | | | | project for your own needs and interest. For example, |
| ideas - especially for students interested in physics and | | | | if you are interested in what will happen to the launch |
| flight. If this is one of the science fair project ideas that | | | | of your rocket if you remove a propeller or modify the |
| interests you, read on to learn exactly how to | | | | tip of the rocket, you can experiment. |
| complete this project. | | | | Here are some specific tips for you, no matter what |
| Remember: in order to complete the science fair | | | | variations you use. |
| rocket project, you will need to have safety equipment | | | | |
| on hand, such as goggles. This is also one of those | | | | 1. Plan several launches for each variable. In order to |
| science fair project ideas that might be best | | | | complete this experiment, you'll need to perform the |
| performed with adult supervision. Safety first | | | | rocket launch several times. Each rocket launch will |
| Objective | | | | measure a different variable. For all rocket launches, |
| The objective of the rocket is to determine what | | | | you should use the same engine (or an identical engine) |
| rocket design changes actually change the speed and | | | | to ensure that the launch is the same as the others. It |
| projection of the rocket itself. | | | | may also be best to take an average of three flights |
| Introduction | | | | per each different variable that you measure in order |
| Many children have played with model rockets. After | | | | to ensure that your reading is as accurate as possible. |
| all, they are loud, fast, and provide an excellent way to | | | | 2. Use trackers to measure altitude. Unless you are |
| learn about physics. This particular science experiment | | | | able to get on top of a very high building or latter, it can |
| will help you build your own rocket that will travel up to | | | | be difficult to measure the altitude of your rocket. |
| hundreds of feet in the air. Many real rockets can | | | | However, by using trackers on taller items, such as |
| travel for thousands of feet into the air. From this | | | | trees, you may be able to get a close estimate. Look |
| experiment, you'll also learn about aerodynamics and | | | | for rockets that have radio attachments on them (as |
| safety when working with rockets. | | | | long as they are within your budget). |
| Terms and Concepts You'll Need to Know | | | | 3. Consider wind and thermal lift conditions when |
| When you work on this model rocket, you'll need to | | | | measuring flight duration. If you are measuring flight |
| know about the four forces that impact flight. They | | | | duration as one of your variables, be sure that you |
| are weight, thrust, drag, and lift. You'll also need to | | | | consider environmental conditions as well as conditions |
| know the equation for drag. This experiment will also | | | | directly related to your experiment. |
| help you to learn about how to stabilize a rocket by | | | | 4. Only change one variable per flight. By changing only |
| using center of gravity and center of pressure. | | | | one variable, it will be easier to measure how those |
| Materials You Will Need | | | | variables actually impacted the flight of your rocket. |
| You will need to buy a model rocket and related | | | | Remember: this is one of the science fair project ideas |
| components for the rocket. You should be able to find | | | | that I like the most because it is fun to build and |
| a model rocket between $50 and $100 online or | | | | execute. Safety should always come first. It might also |
| through a local toy store. Make sure the rocket you | | | | be good to have a back-up rocket in case your rocket |
| purchase is reusable! | | | | gets lost or damaged during the experiment. Most of |
| Procedure Tips | | | | all - have fun! |
| In order to perform this procedure, you'll be testing the | | | | If you're ready to get going with your own rocket |
| rocket based on variables that you choose, such as | | | | project, your next step is to download a free copy of |
| flight duration, distance, and more. You can choose | | | | "Easy Steps to Award-Winning Science Fair Projects" |
| your own variables. This is one of the cool science fair | | | | from the link below right now. |
| project ideas because you are able to customize the | | | | |