QMC Science Visit
Thirteen children were invited to attend a science morning at QMC looking at how rockets fly and what makes a good rocket.
They started the session by experimenting with air rockets outside, discussing and taking note of what was needed to make them fly, eg. shape, nose of rocket, fins and force.
Children formed into groups and made up a team name and logo for their own rockets. Within their teams they decided what they thought would make a good rocket they then made paper rockets to represent their designs.
Team 1 chose to test fins of a rocket:
| Rocket Number | Number of Fins | Result |
| 1 | 0 | Off course and very little distance. |
| 2 | 1 | Straight up in the air, very little distance. |
| 3 | 2 | Spun around, little distance. |
| 4 | 3 | No spin, straight flight, a long distance. |
| 5 | 4 | Off course, spun around, went a little further than rocket 3. |
Team 2 chose to test nose shape/length:
| Rocket Number | Shape and length | Result |
| 1 | 0 cone | Off course, quite a good distance. |
| 2 | 1cm cone | On course, a long way. |
| 3 | 2cm cone | On course, not as far as rocket 2. |
| 4 | 3cm cone |
On course, not as far as rocket 2 but much higher. |
| 5 | Round cellotape blob | On course, travelled the furthest. |
Team 3 chose to test pressure. Rockets were placed on air pump device and pressure regulated by how many times the pump was pushed:
| Rocket Number | Number of Pumps | Result |
| 1 | 4 | Poor distance. |
| 2 | 5 | A little further than rocket 1. |
| 3 | 6 | Further than rocket 2. |
| 4 | 7 | Further than rocket 3. |
| 5 | 8 | Furthest, straight with a bit of spin in flight. |
Harry concluded that the best rocket would be one with a shiny cone, had 3 fins and most pressure.
Harry’s conclusion was correct on making and testing his theory.
After a short break children made their own stomp rocket from empty plastic bottles, a pipette, straws and a small amount of blue tack.
I am sure they would all be more than willing to show you how to make one.
