How to Make a Toy Rocket for a Science Project

Use a film canister to create a toy rocket for a science project.

Making toy rockets for a school science project can be both educational and fun. Designing the appearance of the toy rocket allows a student to express their creativity and feel a sense of ownership in the learning experience. Students will remember this rocket in years to come because of its simplicity. A toy rocket can be made from common household items very inexpensively.

Things You'll Need

• Table
• Plastic 35mm film canister with lid
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Tissue paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Rubber cement
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove the lid from a plastic film canister. Paint the canister with acrylic paint and allow to dry.

2. Use a ruler to draw three 1-inch long by 1-inch wide triangles onto lightweight tissue paper. Cut out the triangles.

3. 

   Use tissue paper to make lightweight rocket wings.

   Turn the canister/rocket so the open end is on the table. Using rubber cement, glue the triangles to three "sides" of the canister near the bottom (the open end). These are the rocket "wings" or "fins." Allow glue to dry.

4. Go outside to an area with a flat surface. Place the rocket on the ground. Turn the rocket so the open end is facing you. Fill the canister with baking soda. Your rocket will be propelled because of a chemical reaction.

5. Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar to the baking soda and gently place the lid onto the film canister.

6. 

   The rocket canister will shoot into the air because of increasing pressure from carbon dioxide gas.

   Turn the rocket so the lid is on the ground. Step back at least four feet. According to Baking Soda and Vinegar Benefits, "The canister will shoot up into the air within a few seconds. This is due to the pressure build-up as the carbon dioxide gas is produced."

Tips & Warnings

• If your rocket fizzles out and doesn't launch into the air, your canister lid might not be tight enough to form an airtight seal. Try the project using a different film canister.

References

• Baking Soda and Vinegar Benefits: Making a Toy Rocket
• McGraw Hill Science Online: Chemical Reactions