Summary
Students will make a balloon rocket and learn about the relationship between the force applied to an object and the resulting motion.
Materials
Activity 1, 2 & 3
- Long balloon
- Straw
- String
- Paper cup
- Nuts and bolts
- Tape
- Stopwatch
Straw Rocket Activity
- Soft plastic
bottle, with a
pop-up lid
- Modeling Clay
- Two straws
(one smaller
than the other
one in diameter)
- Scissors
- Rulers
Additional Resources
Books:
- Tell Me How Fast It Goes (Whiz Kids) by Shirley Willis (Franklin Watts)
- Feel the Wind by Arthus Dorros (Children's Book)
- The Berenstain Bears Science Fair by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House,
Inc.)
- Gizmos and Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions that Work and Knowing
Why by Jill Frankel Hauser (Williamson Publishing)
- Forces by Graham Peacock (Steck-Vaughn)
Laser Discs:
- Windows on Science, Primary Vol. 3, Force and Motion Lessons 6-10, 14-17
Background for Teachers
The balloon is made of rubber and has shape that it prefers. It will return to that
shape when it can. When the balloon is inflated, the rubber is stretched way past where it
wants to be. As soon as it gets a chance, the rubber will push the air out of the balloon and
return to its original shape.
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Use a Science Process and Thinking Skills
2. Manifest Scientific Concepts and Principles
3. Understand Science Concepts and Principles
4. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning
Instructional Procedures
Pre-Assessment/Invitation to Learn
Tell students the balloon is lazy. It likes to stay flat and lifeless". Have a volunteer
blow up the balloon. Ask the students what the lazy balloon wants to do. Does it want to
return to its "lazy" state? Tell the students that they are going to get a lazy balloon to do
some work before they let it resume its flat, lifeless state.
Instructional Procedure
Activity 1
- Thread a piece of string through a straw.
- Attach the ends of the string to the ceiling and the floor. (You can also have a
child stand on the chair and hold the string.)
- Tape an inflated balloon to the straw.
- Predict what will happen when you release the neck of the balloon and how fast
the balloon will travel.
- Do the experiment and observe what happens. Time how quickly the balloon
rocket goes up the string. Design a chart to record the results.
Activity 2
- Attach three strings to a paper cup.
- Tape the strings to the inflated balloon so that the cup is suspended like a gondola
beneath it.
- Predict what will happen when you release the neck of the balloon. Predict how
fast the balloon will travel.
- Do the experiment and observe what happens. Time how quickly the balloon
rocket goes up the string. Record the results.
Activity 3
- Do experiment 2 several times, but now add weight (nuts and bolts) to the paper
cup. Use a different weight each time you launch the rocket.
- Predict what will happen to the balloon rocket as more weight is added.
- Predict the maximum weight the balloon rocket can lift.
- Do the experiment until the balloon rocket will no longer lift-off.
- Record the results.
Extensions
Language Arts-
- Create a Venn Diagram comparing the different balloon flights. How were they
the same? How were they different? (Standard VII, Objective 2)
Science-
- Make a Straw Rocket (ILO 1)
- Cut both straws 6" in length.
- Make four 3/8" slits around one edge of the smaller diameter straw.
- Bend the four sections out (should look like an X or a + sign).
- With the cap closed, place the slit end of the smaller straw in the center of
the lid. Secure in place with the clay. This is your launch pad.
- Make a nose for the rocket (large diameter straw) with a small amount of
clay.
- Slide the rocket over the launch pad.
- PREDICT what will happen when the plastic bottle is squeezed firmly.
- Actually squeeze the bottle and OBSERVE what happens.
- Does it make a difference how hard you squeeze the bottle? Try it to find
out.
Homework & Family Connections
Have the students make a straw rocket at home.
Assessment Plan
Did the students complete the Balloon Rocket Observation Log accurately? Were their predictions accurate as they filled out the chart?
Created: 07/20/2004
Updated: 05/18/2022
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