RACINE — Students in Mrs. Hazel Knotts’ physical science class put their engineering skills to the test this week as they launched their handmade rockets in a lesson focused on speed, distance, and scientific design.
For three days, students collaborated in teams to design and build stomp rockets using PVC pipe, tape, construction paper, a plastic pop bottle, and—perhaps most importantly—a whole lot of creativity.
“The PVC pipes need to be completely sealed so pressure can build up,” Mrs. Knotts explained. “Once the students understand that concept, the rest is all experimentation and problem-solving. That’s where the fun really starts.”
Students sketched designs, tested launch angles, adjusted fins, and debated which shapes would cut through the air most efficiently.
On launch day, the classroom transformed into an energetic outdoor lab. With each stomp on the pressurized bottle, rockets shot into the air.
After each launch, teams recorded flight distances and compared results, discussing how weight, shape, angle, and airflow contributed to the outcome. The excitement was matched with genuine scientific inquiry.
Mrs. Knotts says projects like this help students see physics come alive: “When they can connect the concepts to something they built themselves, the learning sticks. Plus, it’s just a blast—literally."
To see the fun in action, click here.