Alpha science classroom：DIY Paper Cup Rocket

Rocket toys are a favorite among children, but many rockets require a complicated manufacturing process, posing a safety hazard to younger children. Today, the Alpha science classroom teaches children to make simple DIY paper cup rockets, learn physical science in a simple and fun way. Help children learn about force, acceleration, pressure, and mass physics through kid's science experiments.

Alpha science classroom：Materials needed to DIY Paper Cup Rocket

• Two Paper Cups

• Construction Paper or any kind of thick paper suitable for crafts would do

• Glue

• Scissors

• Markers or Sketches or Crayons or Water Paints

• Ruler

• Felt Tape

• Two or Three Elastic Bands

• Needle

Alpha Science Classroom: DIY Paper Cup Rocket Activity Steps

Step 1: First, the children use white paper and sketches to make a mold in the shape of a crown and wings. Then, use these templates to make wings and crown decorations from construction paper. So far, you have two blue wings and a yellow crown shape on your hand. You can use black sketches to decorate these things by drawing lines. Children can choose to draw cats, mice, and even spaceships to satisfy their interests.

Step 2: Prepare the rocket

Children need a powerful rocket, so use another cup to stack it.

Just cut the edge of the cup and insert it into another cup to make two layers.

Take a paper cup, the children use a needle to insert a needle from a point on one side of the cup to the other side of the cup and make two holes. In this way, the two holes remain opposite to each other.

Children must make sure to keep these holes near the edge of the mouth area of the paper cup. Repeat the same process to make a hole on the other side of the cup. This means you need to punch four holes on the four sides of the paper cup.

Step 3: Insert band

Now children choose two rubber bands and cut them in one place. Then, insert the rubber band into any two holes on the opposite sides of the cup, and tie the ends of the rubber bands at both ends to tie the knots. This way the inserted strap will not slip out of the hole.

children need to repeat the same operation on the other strap and keep a tight knot in the other set of holes around the cup. Finally, after attaching the strap to the hole of the cup, you can see the plus sign on the open side of the edge of the paper cup.

Step 4: Glue decoration materials

It's time for the kids to decorate our rocket launcher! Turn the paper cup that represents the rocket part upside down. And glue the decorative things, namely the wings and the crown to the same cup. This means that the cup has two wings on both sides and a crown on top.

Step 5: Give the rocket a facial shape

Now kids draw two eyes with black sketches or markers and give your rocket a face. Then cut the red construction paper into triangles to make the nose part. As shown in the picture, glue the nose part to the rocket face under the eye area. That's it! The children's space rocket is ready to fly.

Step 6: Flying a paper cup rocket

In this step, children pick up another paper cup and place it in the opposite position so that the paper cup is in the upper position. We will use this reverse paper cup as a basic part or launcher for your space rocket.

Now place your rocket on top of the base cup, but in an upside-down position. Make sure that the base is also in the reverse position. Then, lightly press with your bare hands to push the rocket towards the base. After pushing it over the base part, release the pressure on the rocket part.

Observe how your rocket flies into the air amazingly! Return your rocket to the top of the launcher again and let the rocket fly! Hope you can easily use simple supplies to prepare your own rocket at home

Alpha science classroom: the science behind how DIY paper cup rockets fly

The alpha science classroom tells the children that in today's physical science experiment activities, there are four important forces that play a role in the operation of the rocket. These forces include compressed air, thrust, weight, and lift. Of course, all of this is also based on Newton's law of motion.

What does Newton's third law of motion say? It says; "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction". To satisfy Newton's third law, when you push the base part down and release it, the rocket part flies into the air. This means that the pressure you put on the rocket will cause it to fly with the same energy and upward force after releasing the pressure. The pressurized air accumulated in the rocket cup propagates directly downward when it is released while pushing the rocket upward. This is what Newton's third law explains. The force acting on the rocket from below also plays an important role in making the rocket fly.

Are the children's rockets flying smoothly into the air, very interesting and eye-catching? 

Today, Alpha Science Classroom's DIY Paper Cup Rocket kid's science experiment was a complete success. In this special physical science experiment, we hope the children can learn simple physics knowledge and enjoy the fun of science. Start children's first steps in space exploration and help them become rocket experts.

Alpha Science Toys builds a world full of physical science experimental kits for children, helps children explore more opportunities about physics and space, develops hands-on skills and the spirit of scientific exploration, and makes children become great scientists. Come on, kids!