Primary
forces & motion, push/pull
Project Details
Theme
November | Physics
Messy Level
1
Suggested Location
Class or lab
Prep & Classroom Structure
Prep
Pre-package the materials per child
Have 5 runways with 2 chairs each
Stretch a piece of string tightly between two chairs.
Have a balloon air pump handy for children that need help blowing air
Class Flow
Show Video
Summarize
Engage with project
What’s happening: This experiment demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. As air shoots backward out of the balloon, the balloon is pushed forward in the opposite direction, creating thrust and sending the turkey rocket down the string.
Materials
• 1 balloon
• 8–12 ft string or fishing line
• 1 drinking straw
• Tape
• 2 chairs or fixed supports
• Binder clips/clothespins (optional start gate)
• Paper/cardstock for turkey hands
• Measuring tape
Timer
Art supplies
Balloon machine to (sanitarily) fill air for the younger students
Project Instructions
Trace your hand on paper and decorate it to look like a turkey, then cut it out.
Blow up the balloon, but do not tie it. Use a clothespin to pinch the opening closed so the air stays inside.
Cut a straw in half and thread the string through the straw before tying the string in place.
Tape the paper turkey onto the balloon, making sure the turkey faces the direction you want it to travel. (You can also just decorate the balloon directly)
Tape the balloon securely to the straw.
Slide the balloon rocket to one end of the string.
Count down from five, then remove the clothespin.
Watch the air rush out of the balloon as the turkey rocket travels across the string.
Try again with different amounts of air in the balloon and compare how far or fast the rocket travels.
Class Video
Please share with teacher: