| We explore our solar system through the use of | | | | nosecone or a blunt nosecone. A nosecone can be |
| many different tools. There are telescopes that help | | | | made by making a circle out of paper and then rolling |
| us to get a closer look at space while our feet | | | | the circle onto itself so that it forms a cone. Once |
| remain firmly planted on the ground. There are | | | | you have finished cutting out the paper for your |
| satellites that are sent into space that are helpful in | | | | rocket, wrap and tape the tube of paper around the |
| gathering and sending information. And then there are | | | | film canister, making sure that you tape the canister |
| rockets or space capsules that send astronauts into | | | | lid-end down to the end of the paper before you |
| space to explore things first hand. For young children | | | | start wrapping. If you would like you can make and |
| it is the excitement of rockets and space exploration | | | | tape fins to your rocket body at this point in the |
| that peaks their interest in astronomy. In the | | | | construction of your rocket. Next, roll out the circle |
| paragraphs that follow, you will be able to read more | | | | cut-out for the nosecone and tape it to the rocket's |
| about how you can make your own space rocket | | | | top. |
| crafts to learn more about the expanses of space. | | | | To send your rocket flying, the first thing that you |
| To make a rocket that really launches you will need a | | | | will want to do is make sure that you are in a |
| piece of paper, a plastic 35-mm film canister (this | | | | location that will allow for a safe launch. Launching |
| canister is important as it is usually exactly the same | | | | your rocket outdoors and in a field away from trees |
| size in diameter to most antacid tablets, like the one | | | | and power lines is ideal You also want to put on your |
| you will need to have to make your rocket fly), | | | | safety glasses at this point. Turn the rocket upside |
| cellophane tape, scissors, an effervescing (fizzing) | | | | down and remove the canister's lid. Fill the canister |
| antacid tablet, paper towels and water. You will also | | | | one-third full of water. Drop one-half of an |
| want to make sure that you have the appropriate | | | | effervescing antacid tablet into the canister and |
| safety materials handy such as a parent who can | | | | quickly replace the lid tightly. As the pressure from |
| supervise and safety glasses. | | | | the fizzing tablet builds, eventually it will become too |
| Making the rocket is part of the fun because you get | | | | much for the canister to hold and the rocket will take |
| to decide exactly how your rocket will look based on | | | | off when all that built up energy from the canister is |
| how you decide to cut your paper. You may cut it to | | | | released. |
| make a short rocket or cut it in a way that will make | | | | If you would like to experiment with other types of |
| a long body of the rocket. Just make sure that you | | | | chemical reactions that result in a rocket blast-off, |
| make the diameter the same size as the diameter of | | | | other combinations that have a powerful reaction are |
| the film canister as it will need to fit snugly into the | | | | the combination of baking soda and vinegar and |
| body of the rocket. You can try both and see which | | | | mentos (breath mints) with a diet drink. Use this craft |
| one flies better. You can also experiment with how | | | | as an activity to follow a lesson on astronomy, |
| you make the nose of the rocket. Try a sharp | | | | astronauts and space travel. |