4th Grade Art & Science Projects — Design and Discover — Engineering and Art Challenges
Students will build and launch a simple rocket, learning about Newton's Third Law of Motion and how God's laws of physics make space exploration possible.
Rockets are amazing machines that use the laws of physics to blast off into the sky. God created these laws, and understanding them helps engineers build rockets that can reach outer space.
Rockets work because of Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket pushes hot gas downward out of its engine, the gas pushes the rocket upward. This is called thrust.
The shape of a rocket matters too. Rockets are pointed at the top to cut through the air smoothly. Fins at the bottom help keep the rocket stable and flying straight. These design features reduce drag, which is the air resistance that slows things down.
Space exploration is one of the most exciting ways humans have used the intelligence God gave us. From launching satellites that help us communicate to sending astronauts to the moon, rockets have opened up new frontiers for discovery.
Build a paper rocket by rolling paper around a pencil to form a tube, taping it closed, and adding a pointed nose cone and fins. Launch it using a straw — blow into the straw to send your rocket flying. Experiment with different fin sizes and nose cone shapes. Measure how far each design flies and record your results.