Rocket Balloon The

Balloon Rocket This is an activity in which students use a number of the science processes to collect and treat data. In addition to process skills, students have the opportunity to deal with some fundamental science ideas such as: action-reaction - inertia - variable resistance - energy This is also a good activity to illustrate some of the basic tenets of science methodology, such as repeatability of observation and testing of premises.

Balloon Rocket Be sure to review the reading on the Science Processes . Answer all questions posed during the activity.

Materials Needed A balloon About 10 - 15 meters of stout string A plastic soda straw Masking tape A meter stick Writing materials

Step 1 Attach one end of the string so it can be stretched tightly across a span of about 10 meters. Here I’ve stretched it across my living room between two door handles.

Step 2 Inflate the balloon and attach the straw to it with a piece of masking tape. Be careful to align the straw along the length of the balloon.

Step 3 Thread the loose end of the string through the straw. Draw the string up tightly and fasten it securely.

Step 4 Inflate the balloon then release it. Watch as it flies along the string. In addition to sliding along the string, what other motions do you see?

Step 5 How far did the balloon go before it stopped? What caused it to stop? If you tried it again would it go the same distance? If so, why? If not, why not?

Step 6 Repeat launching the balloon rocket until you feel that you have enough data to be able to predict its behavior. Be sure to operationally define such things as your points of measure. For example, are you measuring from the end of the straw? Which end? It doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent.

Step 6 Continued… Let’s see a piece of video so you can compare how your rocketballoon worked! Just click on the picture to see!!! w

Step 7 As mentioned in the previous slide, consistency is very important in science. We believe that nature is understandable and even predictable given enough data. But the data must be very good data and the way to get good data is to be precise in observation. This is why science seems so concerned with measuring virtually everything possible about a phenomenon. With our activity here, we must measure not only the outcomes (how far the rocket traveled) but also the inputs (those things that caused the rocket to travel in the first place). Clearly, inflating the balloon is an input. How could this variable be measured and controlled? Are there other variables that need to be controlled? Collect a subset of data again, trying to control inputs.

Step 8 To the discussion board post a narrative that explains the science behind the balloon rocket. Use terms such as: energy input and output - resistance - inertia variable - action - reaction Also include a paragraph outlining which process skills were used and how.

You have completed this activity!