STEM Balloon Rocket Design Challenge (Engineering Design Process)
This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect science topics to real-world applications.
Grades: 4th - 9th
Teaching Duration: 2 hours
“My students loved this activity. It was challenging but allowed students to try multiple ways of solving the problem. ”
lesson overview
We have added an engineering twist to the classic balloon rocket demo!
This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect science topics to real-world applications. The teacher will provide the structure to the project, but students will take an active role in designing and building their own balloon rocket device.
Engineering Mission: Students are on a mission to pop a balloon taped to the wall. All they have is another balloon, string, tape, and various other materials. They will attach materials to their rocket and launch it along a string to pop the balloon.
This packet includes:
Detailed educator guide with links to resources
Student handouts including Forces on a Rocket, Intro to Rocket Science, and NASA’s SLS
Student recording packet for each step of the engineering design process
Science extension activities that guide students to explore effects of friction and balloon volume on rocket distance
Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide
