The weather is warming up, so why not take your STEAM Saturday outside and have your child build their very own Bottle Rocket! 
While doing this awesome experiment, your kid will have a “blast” learning about engineering, physics, and chemical reactions.
First, put your kiddo’s engineering skills to the test by having them build a launch pad that can hold a 2-liter soda bottle upside down. They can use any materials they can find around the house, like craft sticks, Legos, tinker toys, and more. This is a great chance for them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Once the launch pad is built, it’s time to make your rocket! You’ll need an empty, clean 2 liter soda bottle, baking soda, vinegar, paper towels, and a cork (a piece of pool noodle could work as a substitute). You will need a lot of wide open outdoor space for this experiment. Your rocket might fly 30-50 feet into the air and it may be carried sideways as well, depending on how windy it is outside.
Let’s get to building! If your kid is artistic, have them decorate their bottle to really make it look like a rocket. Put 1-2 cups of vinegar in the bottle. Then cut a piece of paper towel to approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. Place about a tablespoon of baking soda in the center of the paper towel, then fold the towel so that the baking soda is stuck inside and it will fit inside the mouth of the bottle. Then insert your cork into the mouth of the bottle and quickly place it upside down on your launchpad. Then move back as fast as you can, and wait for blast off!
To get the full instructions for this high-flying experiment from Steam Powered Family and learn about the science behind it, click HERE.
We’ll see you right back here next Saturday for another STEAM Saturday activity! Scroll through the rest of our website to learn how Critchlow Adkins is Building Brighter Futures for the children and families we serve!
