How to Make Bottle Rockets

If you're going to be any kind of scientist, you must be able to build and launch your own bottle rockets. You don't have call in NASA to complete this mission; you probably have the materials to make your own rocket lying around your house.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 soda bottles
• Small plastic cone
• Duct tape and masking tape
• Scissors
• Folder with no pockets
• String
• Trash bag
• Hole punch

1. Put one of your 2-liter bottles on a table and draw straight lines along the top and bottom. Cut along these lines so you are left with just the straight cylinder of the soda bottle.

2. Use the duct tape to attach your cylinder to the bottom of the other 2-liter bottle.

3. Cut 3 fins out of the folder. The shape and size of your fins can vary. You'll have to test a couple of rockets before you figure out what shape and size works best.

4. Attach your fins to the rocket using duct tape. Make sure all 3 fins are spaced evenly apart.

5. Cut off the entire bottom square shape from your cone.

6. Take a piece of string. Tie knots on both ends. Tape one end of the string to the inside of the top of the rocket and the other end to the inside of the cone. Place the cone on top of the rocket so the string is inside.

7. Make the parachute by cutting off the closed end of the trash bag and folding it in half longways.

8. Fold the trash bag in half again. Fold it twice again, this time making triangle shapes. You should end up with a skinny triangle. Cut off the extra material hanging out at the base of the triangle. Unfold it and you should end up with 2 big circles.

9. Take one circle and keep folding it in half until it's folded into 16ths. Unfold it and place a small piece of masking tape where each crease line is on the edge of the circle. Then punch holes through the masking tape, fold the circle in half and tie string through the holes you punched.

10. Tape the ends of the parachute strings into the inside of the rocket. Put the entire parachute inside and put the cone back on top.

11. Launch your rocket.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get discouraged if your rocket doesn't fly the first time. Play around with the size and shape of the fins, the size of the parachute and the weight of the cone.

• Bottle rockets should be launched in an open space with bystanders kept at a safe distance.

• The bottle rocket launcher should wear safety goggles or a face shield.