Engineer a Rocket Ship
Using paper and string, your child will create a pulley system that sends a gliding rocket ship soaring through space.
While You Play
What is a pulley and how does it work? Explain to your child that a pulley is a simple machine, made of a wheel and a rope, that helps people lift, lower or move heavy objects. Encourage your child to think of other places they may have seen pulleys — like a bucket in a well, or an elevator or a crane at a construction site!
What would happen if you added more weight to the rocket? Would it be harder or easier to lift the rocket with the pulley? Try taping a rock to the rocket ship and find out!
What You'll Need
Directions
Print out the rocket ship template on white cardstock.
Decorate the rocket! Color it with markers, pencils, or crayons.
Cut out the rocket ship and turn it over.
Cut two 1.5-inch segments of the straw. Tape them to the back of the rocket ship about two fingers width apart.
Cut one 4-foot length of string. Thread both ends through the two pieces of straw. This should form a giant loop above the rocket ship, as if you could hang it up.
Tie a bead to each end of the string to keep it in place and prevent it from coming out of the straw.
Hang the loop of string from a doorknob so that the rocketship is suspended in air.
Grab the two beads (one in each hand) and pull down and out. Watch the rocket ship take off!
Science