Engineering Activity: Balloon Rockets
Project
Build a device, propelled only by a balloon, which travels along a string.
Goal
Make the Balloon Rocket that travels the farthest.
Materials
| 1 | balloon |
| 2 | big paper clips |
| 2 | small paper clips |
| 4 | straws |
| 5 | craft sticks |
| 5 | rubber bands |
| 10" | tape |
| unlimited | cardboard |
Things to Consider
- The friction between the Balloon Rocket and the string.
- The shape of your Balloon Rocket
- The weight of your Balloon Rocket.
- The direction of the balloon.
- The shape of the balloon and how it will change.
Questions
- How far did your Balloon Rocket go?
- What does friction have to do with Balloon Rockets?
- How could you improve your Balloon Rocket to make it go farther?