Design Squad Event Guide - wabsalliance.orgPut the straw inside the rocket and line up the front of...

RocketsStudent Journal

After School STEM Academy

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Activity 1

Adapted from: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Aero_p046.shtml

ACTIVITY 1: SODA STRAW ROCKET

ACTIVITY

1.

2.

3.

Cut out one big rectangle, otherwise known as your “rocket body”. Curl the rectanglelengthwise around a pencil and tape in into a tube.

Cut out two rocket fins. Line up the rectangle on one unit with the bottom of the rocket body. Tape it on. Line up the second fin unit and tape it to the opposite side of the tube.

On one fin unit, bend the fin on the right side toward you, so it forms a right angle withthe fin on the left. Do the same to the right-hand fin on the other fin unit. Now, whenyou look at the rocket from the bottom, the fin should forma a + shape.

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Activity 1


Put the straw inside the rocket and line up the front of the rocket with the end of thestraw. Then, tape the end of your rocket closed. This rocket has no nose cone. This isyour control rocket – you will test other models against this one.Important: Find an open space where you can launch your rockets with no danger ofhitting someone.Let it fly! Blow into the straw to launch your rocket. How does it work? Try launchingat different angles and see what makes it fly the farthest. Measure the distance flown onthree flights and write the measurements on your lab sheet.

4.

5. Now, see if you can build a better rocket. Follow steps 1-4 to build a second rocket.This time, push the rocket body up to the sharpened end of the pencil. Twist the end ofthe tube closed around the sharpened end to form the nose cone. Remove the pencil.

6. Measure the length of your nose cone. Write it on your lab sheet and on the rocket.7. Test it! How far can you make your second rocket fly? Measure the distance and enter

it in your lab sheet (on the next page).

REFLECTION

• Did anything surprise you about this activity?

• What other variables could you change on your rocket – and how might they affect its flight

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Rocket Pattern

Cut out the rocket body and curl it lengthwise around a pencil and tape it into a tube.

Cut out the two rocket fin units.



Kids’ Science Challenge - Build A Soda Straw Rocket

Activity 1

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Kids’ Science Challenge ScienceProjectsarepresentedbytheaward-winningradioseries,PulseofthePlanet

Made possible by theNationalScienceFoundation

©2009 Jim Metzner Productions. All rights reserved.

Kids’ Science Challenge - Build A Soda Straw Rocket



Activity 1

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Rocket

Number

Nose Cone

Length

Distance

in Trial 1

Distance

in Trial 2

Distance

in Trial 3

Soda Straw Rocket Data Log

1:

Control

2

3

0

Activity 1: Soda Straw Rocket

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Activity 2

Modified from: http://www-tc.pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DS_NASA_03LaunchIt_LN_CS.pdf

ACTIVITY 2: IMPROVE YOUR SODA STRAW ROCKET

Brainstorm

What are some ways you can change your rocket design from last week?

How will adding weight to the straw’s nose or having more fins affect how it flies?

Basic air-powered

rocket and balloon

launcher

When you launch your straw rocket, how does the launch angle affect where it lands?

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Activity 2

Modified from: http://www-tc.pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DS_NASA_03LaunchIt_LN_CS.pdf

My Design

What features of your design helped your rocket hit the target?

What changes did you make to your rocket between last week and this week?

How did changing the launch angle affect how your rocket flew?

Reflection

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Activity 3


ACTIVITY 3: EXPLORE PAPER AIRPLANE DESIGN

BACKGROUND

What allows the paper plane to glide through the air? And why does a paper plane finally land? To find out, we will talk about the science behind flying a paper plane and the different forces that get a paper plane to fly and land. These same forces apply to real airplanes, too. A force issomething that pushes or pulls on something else. When you throw a paper plane in the air, you are giving the plane a push to move forward. That push is a type of force called thrust.While the plane is flying forward, air is moving over and under the wings and is providing a force called lift to the plane. If the paper plane has enough thrust and the wings are properlydesigned, the plane will have a nice long flight.

But there is more than lack of thrust and poor wing design that gets a paper plane to come back to Earth. As a paper plane moves through the air, the air pushes against the plane, slowing it down. This force is called drag. To think about drag, imagine you are in a moving car andyou put your hand outside of the window. The force of the air pushing your hand back as you move forward is drag. Finally, the weight of the paper plane affects its flight and brings it to alanding. Weight is the force of Earth's gravity acting on the paper plane. The picture belowshows how all four of these forces, thrust, lift, drag, and weight, act upon a paper plane.

In this aerodynamics project, you will make a basic paper plane and then slightly alter its shape to increase how much drag is acting on it. You will investigate how far the basic paper plane flies and compare that to how far it flies when the drag is increased. How will adding drag affect your plane's flight?

1. Choose a method of folding in the following pages for your group of 3 touse to make 9 paper airplanes, 3 from each material: computer paper, construction paper, and newspaper.

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Activity 3


2. Modify one plane (#3) from each material type with additional drag, aspictured below:

To increase the paper plane's drag: 1. Cut slits 2.5 cm long where the wings meet the ridge at the back of the plane, and then

fold these cut sections up. 2. Each wing should now have a 2.5 cm long section at the end of the wing that is folded

up, at about a 90 degree angle from the rest of the wing, as shown in these pictures taken from different angles.

3. Fly your airplanes and record the results on the table on the next page.

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Activity 3


4. Record your findings on the table below:

Paper Airplane Distance

Flight 1 Flight 2 Flight 3 Average

Computer Paper 1

Computer Paper 2

Computer Paper 3 with Added Drag

Construction Paper 1

Construction Paper 2

Construction Paper 3 with Added Drag

Newspaper 1

Newspaper 2

Newspaper 3 with Added Drag

Type of fold used:

______________________________________________________________________

Which plane performed best?

______________________________________________________________________

What effect did the added drag have on your airplanes?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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Paper Airplane Folding Activity 3

Adapted from: http://www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/

Sailplane

Step 1: Step 2:

Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise. Crease it sharply. Now, unfold,

Fold down the top corners as indicated by the arrows.

Step 3: Step 4:

Bring the top corner downward to a point above the lower edge so that A=B.

Lift each corner and fold to the center crease.

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Step 5: Step 6:

Fold the triangle tip upward to lock two corners together.

Use the center crease to mountain-fold the model in half. Turn the model around 90 degrees.

Step 7: Step 8:

Fold the upper flap down along the folding line parallel to the bottom edge line. Folding line should meet the tip of the triangle lock.

Fold up the wing tip. Note that the wing tip's height B is the same as the body's height A. Then open out both wings.

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Step 9:

The sailplane paper airplane is complete. You can tape the edges under the fuselage and the back of the plane.

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Basic Dart

Step 2: Step 1:

Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise. Crease it sharply. Now, unfold,

Fold down the top corners as indicated by the arrows.

Step 3:

Fold the two edges toward the center-line, as indicated.

Step 4:

Make a valley fold in half. Turn the plane 90 degrees as in the picture for step 5.

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Step 5: Step 6:

Create a wing crease that begins at the nose as shown.

Form 3-dimensional shape as shown in figure. The Basic Dart is complete. Bend up the tailing edge of the wings for lift if it has a tendency to nose-dive.

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Model Rocket Flight Profile


ELECTRICALLYIGNITED ROCKETENGINE PROVIDESROCKET LIFTOFF.

MODEL REACHESPEAK ALTITUDE.EJECTION CHARGEACTIVATES RECOVERYSYSTEM.

TRACKINGSMOKEGENERATEDDURING TIMEDELAY/COASTPHASE.

ENGINE BURNS OUTAND ROCKETCONTINUES TOCLIMB DURING THECOAST PHASE.

RCOVERYSYSTEMS AREDEPLOYED.

ROCKETSAFELYRETURNSTO EARTH.

ROCKETACCELERATES ANDGAINS ALTITUDE.

TOUCHDOWN!REPLACE THEENGINE, IGNITER,AND RECOVERYWADDING. READYTO LAUNCH AGAIN!

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Common Fin Shapes

RECTANGUALAR ELIPTICAL

STRAIGHT-TAPEREDSWEPT-TAPERED


RECTANGULAR ELLIPTICAL

SWEPT-TAPEREDSTRAIGHT-TAPERED

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Parts of a Fin


TIP

RO

OT

ED

GE

LEADING EDGE

TRAILING EDGE

TOP

OF

RO

CK

ET

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Design Considerations for FinsProvide a thumbnail sketch of a rocket for each of the four common fin shapes.Identify the fin shape below each sketch.

__________________________ __________________________

__________________________ __________________________

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Problem:

Hypothesis:

Results:

Conclusion:

FINTASTIC ROCKETS!

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N.A.R.* MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODEEffective February 10, 2001

As a member of the Estes Model Rocketry Program, I promise to faithfully follow all rules of safeconduct as established in the above code.

Signature___________________________________

Important Note: ‘G’ engines must be sold to and used by adults (18 and up) only.To launch large model rockets weighing more than one lb. (453 g) including propellantor rockets containing more than 4 oz. (113 g) but no more than 4.4 oz. (125 g) of pro-pellant (net weight), you must notify and perhaps obtain authorization from the FederalAviation Administration (FAA). Check your telephone directory for the office nearest youor contact Estes Industries for further information. *National Association of Rocketry

1. MATERIALS. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.

2. MOTORS. I will use only certified, commercial-ly-made model rocket motors, and will not tamperwith these motors or use them for any purposesexcept those recommended by the manufacturer.

3. IGNITION SYSTEM. I will launch my rocketswith an electrical launch system and electricalmotor igniters. My launch system will have a safe-ty interlock in series with the launch switch, andwill use a launch switch that returns to the "off"position when released.

4. MISFIRES. If my rocket does not launch whenI press the button of my electrical launch system,I will remove the launcher’s safety interlock ordisconnect its battery, and will wait 60 secondsafter the last launch attempt before allowing any-one to approach the rocket.

5. LAUNCH SAFETY. I will use a countdownbefore launch, and will ensure that everyone ispaying attention and is a safe distance of at least15 feet (4.6 m) away when I launch rockets withD motors or smaller, and 30 feet (9 m) when Ilaunch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about thesafety or stability of an untested rocket, I willcheck the stability before flight and will fly it onlyafter warning spectators and clearing them awayto a safe distance.

6. LAUNCHER. I will launch my rocket from alaunch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within30 degrees of vertical to ensure that the rocketflies nearly straight up, and I will use a blastdeflector to prevent the motor’s exhaust from hit-ting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, Iwill place the launcher so that the end of thelaunch rod is above eye level or will cap the endof the rod when it is not in use.

7. SIZE. My model rocket will not weigh morethan 53 ounces (1500 grams) at liftoff and will

not contain more than 4.4 ounces (125 grams) ofpropellant or 71.9 pound-seconds (320 N-sec) oftotal impulse. If my model rocket weighs morethan one pound (453 grams) at liftoff or hasmore than 4 ounces (113 grams) of propellant, Iwill check and comply with Federal AviationAdministration regulations before flying.

8. FLIGHT SAFETY. I will not launch my rocket attargets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will notput any flammable or explosive payload in myrocket.

9. LAUNCH SITE. I will launch my rocket out-doors, in an open area at least as large as shownin the accompanying table, and in safe weatherconditions with wind speeds no greater than 20miles per hour (32 km/h). I will ensure that thereis no dry grass close to the launch pad, and thatthe launch site does not present risk of grass fires.

10. RECOVERY SYSTEM. I will use a recoverysystem such as a streamer or parachute in myrocket so that it returns safely and undamagedand can be flown again, and I will use onlyflame-resistant or fireproof recovery systemwadding in my rocket.

11. RECOVERY SAFETY. I will not attempt torecover my rocket from power lines, talltrees, or other dangerous places.

www.nar.org

LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS

Installed Total Equivalent Minimum SiteImpulse (N-sec) Motor Type Dimensions

Feet Meters.00 - 1.25 1/4A, 1/2A 50 15

1.26 - 2.50 A 100 302.51 - 5.00 B 200 605.01 - 10.00 C 400 120

10.01 - 20.00 D 500 15020.01 - 40.00 E 1,000 30040.01 - 80.00 F 1,000 30080.01 - 160.00 G 1,000 300

160.01 - 320.00 Two G’s 1,500 450

© 2008 Estes-Cox Corp. All rights reserved.27

Design Squad Event Guide - wabsalliance.orgPut the straw inside the rocket and line up the front of...

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Transcript of Design Squad Event Guide - wabsalliance.orgPut the straw inside the rocket and line up the front of...