83. Roaring Rockets

Resources

Time 

• Plastic bottles
• Corks
• Water
• Inner tube valve
• Bike Pumps

1 hour.

Programme Spark

Start this Spark off by decorating a plastic bottle to look like a rocket, remembering that the opening of the bottle will face downwards during flight.

Push an inner tube valve into a cork and secure well with tape or hot glue. You may need to trim the length of the cork to ensure that both ends of the valve are visible.

When ready to launch push the cork into the opening of the bottle, after filling it half full with water. Make sure the cork is in the correct way round, so the bike pump can be connected to it, like it was still attached to an inner tube. 

Find something prop your water bottle up with, you could pioneer a launch pad, then start pumping. The pressure will begin to build, aided by the water, and eventually it will become too much causing the bottle to fly off the cork and into the air. Be prepared to get wet!

Adapting for each Section

Badge Links

All Sections can take part in this Spark.

You could challenge your Section by asking them to make adjustments to their bottle rocket, to help it fly better through the air.

Beavers

• Creative 
• Skills Challenge

Cubs

• Artist
• Skills Challenge

Scouts

• Astronautics 
• Creative Challenge

Explorers