- Arts & Sciences
NASA Family Extension Activity
Straw Rocket
Astronauts hitch a ride on a rocket to get to the International Space Station. Let’s make our own rocket and make it blast off by blowing through a straw!
What You'll Need
- Paper
- A straw
- Scissors
- Tape
- Markers, crayons, or paint
Directions
Step 1
Print out this activity sheet to create two rockets.
Step 2
Color and cut out each rocket.
Step 3
Cut out each rectangle. Fold a rectangle lengthwise, then fold again on the top of the short end. Apply tape to the long side. This should create a pocket with an opening on the bottom.
Step 4
Tape the folded rectangle to the back of a rocket – the opening should be facing the bottom of the rocket.
Step 5
Insert straw in the opening of the folded rectangle and blow.
Step 6
Repeat with the second rectangle and rocket. Explore using your rockets together!
No printer? No Problem!
Follow these alternative steps!
Step 1
Help your child cut a small piece of paper in a rectangle shape, about 2 inches long by 4 inches wide.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half length-wise, and tape the top side closed. Then, tape the long side opposite the fold as well. This “rocket” should fit loosely over the top of your straw
Step 3
Decorate your rocket!
Step 4
Place your rocket over the straw and blow.
Ask your child, "How far does your rocket fly?"
- Use your feet to count how many steps it flies!
- Try blowing harder and blowing less—does this change how far your rocket flies?
- Try pointing your straw up in the air, straight out, and down towards the ground, changing the angle of your rocket. What happens?
Ask your child, “Why does your rocket fly?”
- When you blow air into the straw, the air goes through the straw and pushes out, pushing the rocket with it. When you blow harder into the straw, the air has more energy and the rocket can fly further!
- Gravity is a force that pulls your straw rocket down at the same time that your breath is a force pushing the rocket forward. These 2 forces work against each other, so the rocket makes a curved shape. When a real rocket goes into space, it has to push past the force of gravity pulling it down.
Key Vocabulary
Astronaut
Someone who is trained to go into space and learn more about it.
Gravity
A force that makes sure that when we jump up in the air, we fall down. The space station has gravity too, almost as much as on Earth. But because the ISS is orbiting around the Earth, it makes it seem like there is a lot less gravity. That is why astronauts float in the space station.
Exercise
An activity that keeps the body or mind strong.
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