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Launch Rockets to Teach Many Different Science Concepts

Last week we took all of our science classes outside to the baseball field to launch rockets. This is an activity that we’ve done the last few years and the kids absolutely love it.

There are so many concepts in science that you can tie this activity to. Here are a few that we have used in the past:

  • Newton’s Law’s

  • Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

  • History of  Space Exploration

  • Gravity

Generally, I launch several rockets that I have personally pre-built, but I have also allowed students to build their own and bring them in to launch.  The rockets are re-usable, but you do have to buy new engines and recovery wadding for each flight.

To get started you will also need a launch kit.  Amazon sells a kit that comes with a launcher and 2 rockets for under $30.  You can have hours of fun with this kit alone.

Materials List

Below are all the materials that you need to launch each rocket 3 times.  If you want to launch the rockets more than 6 times simply buy more engines.  The engines come with ignition fuses.

Estes 1469 Tandem-X Launch Set – Launch set with 2 rockets

Estes 2274 Recovery Wadding – Recovery wadding to keep the parachute safe

Estes A8-3 Engine Pack (3-Each) – 3 ‘A’ engines for beginner flights

Estes B4-2 Rocket Engine (3-Each) – 3 ‘B’ engines for higher altitude flights

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