Build A Rocket

Paper Stomp Rockets

For about $10 in materials – and no water spray! – you can make a simple air powered paper rocket launcher. The rockets themselves are almost free, made out of sheets of copy paper! Great for younger students.

The America Rocketry Challenge

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest rocket contest, designed to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and more than 20 aerospace industry partners, TARC provides middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets in a competition among approximately 5,000 students nationwide each year.

Can you launch eggs into space and return them safely to the Earth?

Saturn V Vacuum Rocket Launcher

This launcher project uses air or a lack thereof, not water or pyrotechnics, to launch the spacecraft. Uses a vacuum pump, acrylic cylinder and simple 3D printed parts. It includes alternatives if you do not have access to a 3D printer.

Estes Educator - Guide for Teachers

For those looking for rockets with a little more punch, Estes -- the model rocket company -- has a site for educators with curriculum, local legal requirements, and more information on model rocketry.

Before the launch, check the safety requirements with your local Fire Department!

Fly Rockets!

Students who express an interest in rocketry can check out FlyRockets.com for lots of information and clubs in their area.

National Association of Rocketry

The NAR provides educational resources and a list of nearby clubs. National Association of Rocketry is the oldest and largest sport rocketry organization in the world.

Mr. Hayhurst's Quick and Easy Bottle Rocket

Pat Hayhurst, a H.S. Instructor, describes how he creates Bottle Rockets using 2-liter soda bottles, compressed air and water, and includes a lesson plan! [Our webmaster agrees that soda bottle rockets are great fun.] Lancaster High School sponsored a bottle rocket RocketFest, with contests like "Land The Egg" and "Longest Field Goal By A Rocket".

Earth-to-Orbit Design Challenge

Another approach is to look at a specific part of space flight. In the Earth-to-Orbit Design Challenge, middle school students were presented with a real-life problem faced by NASA engineers: construct a heat shield that will protect a spacecraft from re-entry temperatures as it returns to Earth. Using simple items purchased at the local hardware, students become immersed in a rewarding process fueled by their original thoughts and critical reflection.

NASA Student Launch Challenge

NASA's Student Launch is a researched-based, competitive, experiential exploration activity. It includes yearly challenges reaching a broad audience of middle and high schools, colleges and universities, and non-academic teams across the nation through an eight-month commitment to design, construct, and fly payloads & vehicle components and corresponding ground support equipment.

The teams launch the experiments on high-power rockets in Huntsville, Alabama and share the research results, which will be used in future design and development of NASA projects.