How to Make a Rocket for a Science Fair Project

Test your science fair rocket outdoors to see how high it will go.

If you need a high-flying science fair project, you can build a chemical-reaction rocket by combining baking soda and vinegar in a film canister. The combination creates pressurized gas in the canister, producing the propulsion needed to launch the rocket. You can experiment with different amounts of baking soda to study how the variables affect how high the rocket will go.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of notebook or printer paper
• Plastic 35 mm film canister
• Tape
• Scissors
• Crayons (optional)
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Vinegar (acetic acid)

Instructions

1. Cut a rectangular piece of paper and wrap the canister with it. Tape one end of the paper to the canister, roll it until it covers the canister, then tape the second edge. Remove the lid of the canister, leaving the hole of the canister at the bottom end of the paper tube. Trim edges with scissors if necessary.

2. Form a nose cone with another piece of paper. Cut a piece of paper into a circle, make a wedge in the circle and fold the paper into a cone. Make fins for the rocket by cutting four triangles. You may color all the pieces of paper with crayons if you wish. Attach the fins and the cone to the canister with tape. Remember that the open edge of the container is the bottom of the rocket. Tape the cone at the top and the fins around the bottom part.

3. Fill the film canister with baking soda, packing it tightly. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the canister.

4. Close the canister carefully with the lid, making sure you snap the lid to shut it completely.

5. Place the film canister on the ground by turning it upside down. Back off quickly to a safe distance. The rocket can take as long as 30 seconds to blast off.

Tips & Warnings

• It's easier if you color the paper cuts before you tape them to the canister.

• You can use watercolors to decorate the rocket. Just remember to let the paper cuts dry before attaching them to the body of the rocket.

• This experiment is meant to be tested outdoors.

• Wear eye protection during the whole process.

• Keep a safe distance between yourself and the rocket once it is loaded with the required components and while you wait for the launching.

References

• Science Fair Projects: How to Make a Rocket
• NASA: Build a Bubble-Powered Rocket