How to Make Film Canister Rockets

You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money to keep the kids occupied with fancy toys and video games. Instead, try searching your house for some empty film canisters that you can transform into your very own science experiment by crafting a film canister rocket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty 35mm film canister
• 1 piece of construction paper
• Transparent tape
• Scissors
• Baking soda
• Vinegar

1. Take your stuff outside. This project should under no circumstances be done in the house. You will need a spacious, open area to perform this experiment.

2. Put the film canister under wraps. Roll a piece of construction paper around the film canister to cover it. This should form a tube around the canister.

3. With the lid of the canister at the bottom portion of the tube you just made, secure the construction paper to the film canister with the transparent tape.

4. Using another piece of your construction paper, cut out a circle, and then cut a line to the middle of your construction paper circle. Slide the cut edges together until you shape a nose cone. Tape it to keep its shape.

5. Tape the nose cone to the top of the tube that you rolled around the canister.

6. Take the lid off of the film canister and drop a bit of baking soda into the canister. Add drops of vinegar to the baking soda, and then replace the lid on the canister right away.

7. Get ready for blast-off. Step far back. Never stand over the canister once you've loaded it with fuel. With the nose cone pointing toward the sky, put your film canister rocket on the ground and watch it shoot upward.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of using the baking soda and vinegar combination, you can use an antacid tablet with 2 tablespoons of water.

[sciencewizards]

on 1/22/2009 Instead of baking soda use half an effervescent vit C tablet. Works great and is healthy if the children lick it!!!