MD Creative Problem Solvers/DI
Maryland Creative Problem Solvers Instant Challenge Library

Launching Pad

This is a hybrid (verbal/hands-on) challenge.

The Challenge:

To build 3 rockets and 3 launching devices, using the materials provided.

The Scene:

You are a graduate student studying aeronautic engineering and your final exam is to build 3 rocket and launching devices that will "fly" as far as possible.

Materials:

Materials that can be alteredMaterials that can't be altered
10 spaghettia marbles
1 12" piece of wax papera large button
6 strawsan empty coffee can
2 rubber bands1 unsharpened pencil
1 sheet notebook paper
3 different colored sticky dots
1 plastic spoon
1 paper cup
1 12" piece of wax paper
1 sheet construction paper (8.5 x 11)
2 index cards
1 paper cup
1 12" piece of string
4 mailing labels

Scissors (may NOT be part of solution)

Directions:

You will have 6 minutes to design, build and practice with your 3 launchers and rockets. One dot must be put on each rocket. At the end of the 6 minutes, the team will designate 3 team members to be "launchers" and will launch each rocket only once in a 1-minute period. The rockets may be touched while being loaded on to the launcher but not during the launch. The launching device must stay in the starting area after the launch.

Scoring:

5 points for every foot that the rocket travels past the starting line, up to 20 feet
10 points for the creativity of the design of each rocket
20 points for the creative use of materials
5 points for each type of materials used
25 point for teamwork