STOMP ROCKETS
Credit: EAA Museum Education program
Concepts Illustrated:
(1) Forced air flight and Newton’s 3rd Law
(2) Stability and aerodynamics of rocket structure
Time Requirements:
15-45 minutes (Depending on how much you have kids construct and what type
of qualitative or quantitative analysis is done, if any during walk-up activity)
Grade Level of Audience: This activity is primarily suited for kids in grades K-8.
I. Materials and Equipment Utilized
(Materials needed for a group of 20 students)
1. 2-4 Stomp rocket launching apparatus (construction details are shown
below). Materials needed for each rocket launcher:
1-10’ piece of ½” Schedule 40 PVC (with 2’ of waste)
½” x ½” 90o elbow
4- ½” CPVC clamps
8- ½” wood screws
3’ pieces of 1”x 3”
-2 liter soda bottle
Duct tape
2. 11” x 14” pieces of paper for rocket bodies (construction details are listed
below)
3. Template for rocket fins (one copy needed for each student)
4. Small piece of cardboard (one piece for each student, must be large
enough to provide rocket fins)
5. 10 Scissors
6. 5 rolls of Scotch tape
7. Bag of cotton balls or box of plastic cellophane wrap (for nose cone)
8. Markers for decorating
II. Description of Set-up and/or Construction of Apparatus
Revised Dec. 2015
1. Construction of Stomp Rocket Launcher:
Cut the 10’ piece of PVC into 4’, 2’, 2’, and 2’ pieces.
Lay the 4’ piece across the center of the two pieces of 1” x 3”, such
that, about 6” PVC hang over at both ends.
Using wood screws, tightly clamp the pipe to each board using two
clamps.
Either glue or friction fit the 90 degree elbow to one end of the 4’
PVC tube. Make sure the opening of the elbow is pointed vertically
upward.
Using a file, grinder, or rough surface (such as concrete or asphalt),
taper one end of a 2’ piece of PVC (so the rockets will slide on and
off more easily).
Either glue or friction fit the non-tapered end of the 2’ piece of PVC
into the open end of the 90 degree elbow.
On the pipe end opposite the elbow, tape a 2-liter soda bottle using
the duct tape. Although the bottle can be stomped a minimum of 50
times, eventually you will have to replace it. Thus, make a small tab
in the duct tape so it may easily be removed to exchange 2-liter
bottles.
One of the extra 2’ pieces of ½” PVC should be used as a forming
tube for the bodies of the rockets. If the PVC is used as is, the
rocket bodies will fit too tightly to launcher. In order to modify the
forming tube, simple wrap the entire tube with one thickness of duct
tape.
2. Making Rockets
Roll the 11” x 17” piece of paper on the forming tube, such that, the
longest possible tube is formed. The piece of paper should be
wrapped tightly. If it is mushy, re-wrap it.
Revised Dec. 2015
Tape all along the seam to keep it from unwrapping. The rocket
body is now complete.
After much use, if the seam shifts or becomes tattered, simply slide
the rocket body onto the forming tube, such that only about .” of the
tattered end hangs over the edge. Apply a small strip of tape to
both sides of the seam.
Cut out the fins provided and fold on the dashed line, bending the
tabs in alternate directions.
Revised Dec. 2015
Tape the fins to the bottom of the rocket tube.
launcher will be trapped, pushing the rocket up. With one’s thumb,
push over .” of the rocket tube. Then push on the other side and
push over the paper there. Now there are two peaks left. Fold those
over one at a time too (shown below). Now when the top is taped,
the paper at the end will give it sufficient strength.
One should make a rounded, soft nose cone for safety and
efficiency. The softness of the nose will absorb some of the shock
as the rocket hits the ground so the rocket tube doesn’t get too
banged up. This may be done using a cotton ball or a small,
wadded up, piece of clear plastic food wrap. With a piece of
tape, tape the cotton ball or ball of plastic to the top of the rocket,
as shown below. The tape will form an upside down “U” with the
middle curving around the top of the plastic ball and then ends
taped to the rocket tube.
Depending on time constraints, one may decorate one’s rocket.
III. Details of Student Implementation
1. Care needs to be provided so that the rockets are not launched at people. It
might be wise to cover up the 2-liter bottle launcher with a copy paper box
until the rocket has been placed for launch and the area is clear of other
students. The launcher MUST be initially tested outside. With some
modifications, one may test in tall ceiling buildings, such as hangars,
auditoriums, and gymnasiums.
Revised Dec. 2015
2. After placing the rocket on the launcher, the person doing the launching
should stomp with ONE FOOT ON THE CENTER of the 2-liter bottle.
3. Time permitting and based on ability, analyses of height and time could be
done. Expanded lesson plans and student activities may be found in the
Single Visit lessons.
Revised Dec. 2015