Build a Paper Rocket
Design and launch a paper rocket, then measure how changes in fin shape and mass affect distance.
Materials
- Printer paper (A4/Letter)
- Tape or glue
- Scissors
- Straw or launch tube
- Ruler or measuring tape
Steps
- Roll paper tightly around the straw to form a body; tape the seam.
- Seal one end with a folded/taped nose cone.
- Cut 3–4 fins, attach evenly around the tail.
- Launch by blowing through the straw or using a simple bottle launcher.
- Measure distance and record your design notes.
What’s happening (the science)
- Fins add stability by moving the center of pressure behind the center of mass.
- A pointed nose reduces drag; mass changes momentum and flight path.
- Testing one variable at a time is the basis of fair experiments.
Safety & cleanup
- Wear eye protection around launchers.
- Launch in a clear hallway or outdoors away from faces.
- Pick up scraps; recycle paper and tape cores.
Tip: Extend this activity by asking students to measure, graph, or compare versions (e.g., different designs or variables).