I would definitely try making a rocket that launches with my class. I was recently at a workshop where we made these rockets and the teachers really enjoyed launching them and trying to make sure we were all starting at the point to see who could launch their rocket the furthest and which angle was the best to get the rocket to travel higher or further. I think that young children would really enjoy this activity. We were discussing the activity with a group of teachers and we decided that it would be a lovely team-based exercise for an older class to do with a younger class. We could have mixed groups with some younger and some older children working together.
Preparation for this activity is important as there needs to be enough foam tubing for the number of rockets being made.
Materials needed:
Foam tubing
Strong tape (preferably easy tear like gorilla duct tape)
Elastic bands
Strong card
Method:
Cut four slits in bottom of the foam tube. Cut out two triangles of equal size and slot them together to make an x shape. Slot these triangles into the foam slits so that your rocket stands up. Attach an elastic band to the top of the foam rocket using strong tape. Use a long thin stick to launch the rocket.
I think this is a wonderful activity for children and I will definitely do it with my class this year. I have often made junk rockets with my class out of recycled items but we have never tried to launch them. I like the scientific element to these rockets and feel they create such a rich learning experience for the children.
I would also integrate other subjects into the lesson. I would introduce some rocket themed picture books like “Whatever Next” and “Roaring Rockets”. I would encourage the children to think about things they could create at home – e.g. forts, dens, rockets etc. We would look at rhyming words in the books. In PE we would do some athletics and throw some foam javelins, experimenting with throwing them in different ways to see which way would send them further. We could also compare the foam javelins to our rockets. I would also do a wax resist art lesson with the children where they could draw their own rocket to create a space display in our class. I would do all these lessons while exploring the theme of space in Aistear.