Straw Rockets

Overview

The straw rocket project is a design based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) project developed as an introduction to the engineering design process. As is the case with many projects in Tech, the design must meet the specified criteria and constraints. Students receive a set amount of materials to work with after completing research and brainstorming. The rockets are powered by a blast of air and are tested in the Tech Ed hallway. Rockets have exceeded 70 feet! The design brief and research information can be viewed below.

Design Brief

1) Cut your rocket to the desired length

2) Layout one fin as a template for the others

3) Cut out the template

4) Trace additional fins using your template

5) Cut one piece of tape for every two fins. The tape should be the length of the fin area that will be attached to     the rocket body.

6) Cut each piece of tape in half lengthwise 

7) Place a piece of tape on each fin - the tape must extend past the fin (about half-on, half-off)

8) Carefully attach the first fin - tape must not interfere with the bottom end of the rocket

9) Carefully add the remaining fins and adjust the spacing

10) Shape and attach the nosecone - the front end of the rocket must be completely sealed

3D Printed Straw Rockets

1) First, try out the tools in the Rocket Simulators section below to help you plan your design.

2) Your teacher will show you how to access your file, where you will be pasting your selections. 

3) Choose a nose cone from the selection linked below. Once you open the link, select Copy & Tinker to access the nose cones.

4) Copy and paste the selected nose cone into your file. Be sure not to resize it, or it will not fit onto the fuselage. 

5) Now, choose one set of fins from the selections linked below. You may choose from the small, medium, or large fins. Once you open the link, select Copy & Tinker to access the fins.

6) Copy and paste the selected fins into your file. Place them next to the nose cone. Be sure not to resize it, or it will not fit onto the fuselage. 

6) Change the filename of your file to match the file naming convention used in class. (Example: 3.1.2627_Maria_Perez_Rocket)

7) Submit a link in the appropriate assignment on Classroom so your parts can be printed.

8) Ensure you are completing each step of the Engineering Design Process in your Engineering Notebook or on your worksheet - whichever you have been instructed to use.