Science fair project ideas – Quick and easy project #2 – Rocket Science

When you are thinking of science fair project ideas, it is always best to find something that interests you. Maybe you have an interest in aerodynamics. One of the things you could study for your project is rocket aerodynamics.  

In this article, I’m going to go over how the steps involved in doing a project on rocket performance based on the changes in a rocket’s design. This project will require a couple of weeks to complete, so be sure to give yourself enough time to work on it.  You will need to follow the  National Association of Rocketry, Model Rocket Safety Code. Also, keep in mind that there will be some costs involved in this project because you will need to buy the materials to make the rockets.

Model rockets can be a very exciting as an experiment and definitely one of the most unique of the possible science fair ideas available. 

So how do they work? By using small engines, model rockets can travel extremely fast and can reach very high altitudes. As long as you follow the safety code of the National Association of Rocketry’s Model Rocket Code, it is easy to make rockets and perform experiments on the rockets. Plus, there are many variations of the experiment that you can test, as you will see later in this article. Although this is one of the more thrilling science fair project ideas to choose from, it’s important to follow the safety guidelines during the experimentation. 

Before you begin experimenting with rockets, you should understand the following terms and concepts:

 •    Thrust, weight, lift and drag, the four forces of flight

•    Drag Equation

•    Understand both centers of gravity and pressure for stabilization of the rocket

•    Model Rocket Safety Code and how to properly build a rocket  

• The National Association of Rocketry
• Supercharged Science

Here are some tips for experimentation offered by the National Association of Rocketry.

1. To ensure that you have a consistent rocket engine, it is a good idea to test the identical engines at least three times. The more flights you run, the better because there is always a bit of “scatter: in data when you are studying rockets. Scatter is the error that comes from testing a subject that is prone to many experimental variations, including altitude. It’s also caused by weather variations, which can affect the amount of time that your parachute stays in the air.

2. Measuring a rocket’s peak altitude without error is typically the best way to show how rocket performance is affected by changing the different aspects of your rocket. Although this is not very easy, it is the best way to show conclusive results. The best way to measure altitude accurately is by utilizing two different trackers to gather data. By using two trackers, it is easy to gain data from the same distance but coming from different directions. These trackers will look at the flight from different directions but about the same distance. They will associate over radio to convey the measurements during the same moment of the rocket’s trajectory.

3. To make your experiment accurate, be sure to only change one variable at a time for each flight. The engine style and lag time will determine the height a rocket reaches. Also, how smoothly the rocket’s surface was finished, the rocket’s total weight, and the general position of the rocket and all of its components---these all determine the height the rocket reaches. Depending on how high into the air it soars, the amount of time it spends in the air will be affected by the weather conditions, and the type and size of the recovery system.

So what are some variations you could use in your rocket experiment?

Most rocket science fair projects try to vary the design of the fin in order to reach the maximum altitude. According to Tim Van Milligan, an aeronautical engineer, this project won’t provide any useful data.

Instead, here are some possible variations you could test:

• Guessed rocket altitude compared to real reached altitude. How well can you predict the maximum altitude of a rocket and what sort of evidence helps to shape your prediction?

• Placement and design of the rocket’s fin compared to the stability of the rocket. Does changing the size of the rocket’s fin alter its stability? Why? Does it matter where the fins are placed or if they are in difference places? If so, why?

Before you continue, I always suggest downloading a free copy of Easy Steps to Award-Winning Science Fair Projects.