Rocket Project
The 9th graders were put into teams and were able to build and create a rocket of their own over a three week period. The goal of this project was to put together a rocket that would be able to fly as high as it could and safely fall back to the ground with a deployed parachute. This project started in mid September and ended at the Exhibition on Friday, October 11th.
Picture-
Reflection-
Rocket Reflection
Claire Larson
Overall, my rocket project went well and had a decent turn out at the exhibition. I was not present for the rocket exhibition, but I did get to view a video of my team’s rocket launching. The rocket did blow up, but the parachute deploy, making the rocket still count as being “launched.” Building the rocket was not only enjoying and pleasant, but also a great learning experience for my team and I. We had to keep starting over on building the rocket in order to make it the best it could possibly be. We were only able to test launch once, which went alright as our rocket flew about 50 feet. Our group worked well together and collaborated enough to create a final rocket. Working with my two partners was a blast, and they were easy, and great to work with, making the project seem like a breeze. Other than the rocket blowing up on exhibition night, I am happy with my performance as well as my team mate’s performance during this adventure filled project.
If I could go back and change one thing about my project, I would change the design of my rocket to make it more durable for launching. The glue did not hold, so I would let the glue dry more, or change the design to use less glue. Some advice I would give for this project is to now give up even when you feel hopeless, and to keep refining and refining you rocket to make it the best that is can be. I learned a lot about myself including how ambitious I can be even in a stressful environment. Both of my partners were great people to work with, as we all supported each other throughout the project. Weather it was a bottle that needed to be brought in, or even spray paint, we could all rely on each other to bring in all of the necessary supplies. All in all, I had an incredible time building the rocket and learning more and more about physics, as well as more about myself and others.
Claire Larson
Overall, my rocket project went well and had a decent turn out at the exhibition. I was not present for the rocket exhibition, but I did get to view a video of my team’s rocket launching. The rocket did blow up, but the parachute deploy, making the rocket still count as being “launched.” Building the rocket was not only enjoying and pleasant, but also a great learning experience for my team and I. We had to keep starting over on building the rocket in order to make it the best it could possibly be. We were only able to test launch once, which went alright as our rocket flew about 50 feet. Our group worked well together and collaborated enough to create a final rocket. Working with my two partners was a blast, and they were easy, and great to work with, making the project seem like a breeze. Other than the rocket blowing up on exhibition night, I am happy with my performance as well as my team mate’s performance during this adventure filled project.
If I could go back and change one thing about my project, I would change the design of my rocket to make it more durable for launching. The glue did not hold, so I would let the glue dry more, or change the design to use less glue. Some advice I would give for this project is to now give up even when you feel hopeless, and to keep refining and refining you rocket to make it the best that is can be. I learned a lot about myself including how ambitious I can be even in a stressful environment. Both of my partners were great people to work with, as we all supported each other throughout the project. Weather it was a bottle that needed to be brought in, or even spray paint, we could all rely on each other to bring in all of the necessary supplies. All in all, I had an incredible time building the rocket and learning more and more about physics, as well as more about myself and others.
Rocket Launch Video-
Rocket Log -
1. Day 6, Entry 1:
9/25/13 Day after 1st test launch. Today we are going to work on our nose cone. We will also work on perfecting the parachute an talk about completing the challenge extension (lifting 1 KG.)
2. Day 7, Entry 2:
9/26/13 We are going to try to launch today and fix our nose cone. We decided to make our rocket bigger by adding a bottle.
3. Day 8, Entry 3:
9/27/13 Today we decided as a team to start over with three smart water bottles. We think this will work better to fly higher because of how tall the rocket is. Also, we are adding detail to make our rocket as perfect as it can be.
4. Day 9, Entry 4:
9/28/13 Our class is launching today, but unfortunately we do not have a completed rocket to launch. We will watch the rockets and sand our bottles in order to glue them together tomorrow.
5. Day 10, Entry 5:
9/29/13 We had a quick 30 minute work day today. So, we used boiling water to mold our rockets to fit together.
6. Day 11, Entry 6:
10/8/13 Today we painting are glued together rocket, and worked on making a more perfect parachute and nose cone for tomorrow's launch.
7. Day 12, Entry 7:
10/9/13 Today we fixed our nose cone and weighed our rocket. Our rocket in 1.70 Newtons and 19cm long.
8. Day 13, Entry 8:
10/10/13 Today we finished up our parachute, nose cone, and design details. We are officially ready for the launch tomorrow!
9. Day 14, Entry 9:
10/11/13
Exhibition day! We are launching at 70 psi. Let's not detonate our rocket today!
9/25/13 Day after 1st test launch. Today we are going to work on our nose cone. We will also work on perfecting the parachute an talk about completing the challenge extension (lifting 1 KG.)
2. Day 7, Entry 2:
9/26/13 We are going to try to launch today and fix our nose cone. We decided to make our rocket bigger by adding a bottle.
3. Day 8, Entry 3:
9/27/13 Today we decided as a team to start over with three smart water bottles. We think this will work better to fly higher because of how tall the rocket is. Also, we are adding detail to make our rocket as perfect as it can be.
4. Day 9, Entry 4:
9/28/13 Our class is launching today, but unfortunately we do not have a completed rocket to launch. We will watch the rockets and sand our bottles in order to glue them together tomorrow.
5. Day 10, Entry 5:
9/29/13 We had a quick 30 minute work day today. So, we used boiling water to mold our rockets to fit together.
6. Day 11, Entry 6:
10/8/13 Today we painting are glued together rocket, and worked on making a more perfect parachute and nose cone for tomorrow's launch.
7. Day 12, Entry 7:
10/9/13 Today we fixed our nose cone and weighed our rocket. Our rocket in 1.70 Newtons and 19cm long.
8. Day 13, Entry 8:
10/10/13 Today we finished up our parachute, nose cone, and design details. We are officially ready for the launch tomorrow!
9. Day 14, Entry 9:
10/11/13
Exhibition day! We are launching at 70 psi. Let's not detonate our rocket today!