3, 2, 1 ...... Kua rewa! (Lift Off!)

 During the last two weeks we have been doing some Pūtaiao (Science). There is an expression  "It's not rocket science", well in our case it was.

We engaged in 3 different experiments; Tākirirangi Pahu (Puff rocket), Ngā Tākirirangi Poihau (Balloon rockets) and Ngā Tākirirangi Gazoom (Gazoom rockets).

Tākirirangi Pahu (Puff rocket)  

In pairs we constructed our puff rocket. Then took turns using our own straws and our own puff to make the rocket fly.

We learnt that:

•  a force is needed to make a rocket fly      
• a puff or push or thrust is a force.  

                         

Ngā Tākirirangi Poihau (Balloon rockets) 

In pairs we worked together to blow up three different types of balloons; round balloon, rocket balloon and a skinny balloon. We then had to let them go, carefully watching and recording their flight path.

We learnt that:

• a force is needed to make a rocket fly
• a thrust is a force
• stability of a rocket in flight is required to keep it on its intended flight path.

It was really hard to follow the balloons as they went in many crazy directions.

Ngā Tākirirangi Gazoom (Gazoom rockets)

In pairs we worked together to carefully read the ngā tohutohu (instructions) and fill our rockets with the correct amount of water and secure our Alka Seltzer tablet using Blu tack to our canister lid. Of course, safety is important so we had to wear safety goggles.

We learnt that:

• unbalanced forces cause a change in the motion of an object.

So when the Alka Seltzer tablet was added to the water a chemical reaction occurred. As more CO2 is produced, the pressure in the canister builds up until the seal of the lid is broken. The pressure provides the 'push' that launches the rocket.

We had some success and we had some failures. Most important thing, is that we all had fun and showed manawanuitanga during both of those times.