Experiments that teach us
Simple activities that reveal lots about aerospace engineering
EXPERIMENT 01
Build it. Launch it. Change one thing. Try again.
Use a balloon and simple materials to explore two aerospace ideas: rocket propulsion and aerodynamics.
ROCKET PROPULSION
AERODYNAMICS
THE MISSION
The goal is not only to make the balloon move. Build a simple rocket, test it, change a variable, and compare what happens.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Balloons
Straws
Two chairs
Tape
String
BUILD IT
01
Tie one end of a 13 foot long string to one chair.
02
Put the straw through the open end of the string.
03
Once the straw is all the way through the string, tie the other end of the string to the other chair.
04
Fill up the balloon and attach it to the straw.
05
Let go of the balloon and watch the balloon fly.
06
Try different amounts of air and see how fast and how far the balloon travels.
TEST LAB
Change one thing. What happens?
TEST 01
MORE AIR
Fill the balloon about halfway and test it. Then try adding more air and compare the result.
Do not overinflate the balloon so it does not pop.
TEST 02
YOUR DESIGN
Choose one thing to change while keeping the rest of the experiment as consistent as possible.
What did you change? What happened? What would you try next?
WHY DOES IT MOVE?
A balloon rocket demonstrates a basic idea behind rocket propulsion. Rockets create thrust by pushing matter in one direction at high speed. The rocket is pushed in the opposite direction. This connects to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. With the balloon, air rushes out in one direction and the balloon moves in the other.
THINK LIKE AN ENGINEER
Engineering often means testing an idea, looking at the result, changing the design, and testing again.
BUILD TEST CHANGE TEST AGAIN
Which version traveled farther? What changed when you added more air? What happened when you changed the straw? Was the result what you expected? What would you change next?
SAFETY FIRST
This is a low-risk activity using simple materials, but launch the balloon away from people’s faces and keep the test path clear. Younger students should complete the activity with adult supervision. Do not overinflate balloons.
GO BEYOND
One experiment can lead to another question. RocketRoots will continue adding hands-on challenges that explore aerospace through building, testing, and redesign.
COMING SOON
PAPER AIRPLANE DESIGN
Explore aerodynamics.
COMING SOON
LANDING SYSTEM DESIGN
Protect a small payload during a drop.
COMING SOON
MATERIAL STRENGTH CHALLENGE
Test how different materials perform.
Want to understand more of the aerospace ideas behind the experiment? Explore propulsion, aerodynamics, landing systems, human spaceflight, and aerospace materials.
EXPLORE THE SCIENCE