Slingshot Straw RocketsBackground: Modern rocket design began near the beginning of the 20th century. While much has been learned and rockets have grown larger and more powerful, rocket designs are still improving. Engineers developing new rockets must control variables and consider failure points when improving rocket designs. By changing one variable at a time, engineers can determine if that change leads to an increase or decrease in performance. They must also consider how their design might fail, and work to improve their design. These incremental changes allow engineers to improve rocket performance and increase the amount of mass they can lift into space.
Soda-Straw Rockets Activity | NASA/JPL Edu Challenge: Using only the materials listed below, your job is to engineer both a straw rocket and a rocket slingshot that is efficient/strong enough to travel from the Big Room's back wall all the way to the stage. Materials Needed:
Scoring: Each rocket will get 1 point for every 12 inches traveled. Concepts:
Data Table Organizer: Click here |