NAME:

_______________________________
CLASS:
_______________________________
DATE : _______________________________

GRADE-8 SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT CHALLENGE

Film Canister Rocket

How could I use film canister rocket principle to test variables which can increase the
performance of my water rocket?

INTRODUCTION

What happens when you have a build-up of gas? Don't answer that question! The gas in
question is carbon dioxide and the explosion is nothing short of fun. Warning: It's impossible to
do this activity just once. It is addicting and habit-forming. Proceed at your own risk!
Materials
Film canister with a snap-on lid or others as substitute
Vitamin C fizzes/effervescence tablets (such as CDR tablets)
Blue Tack for holding the tablet
Paper towels for cleanup
Water
Measuring cylinder
Safety glasses

Edited from source: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/film-canister-rocket

THE TASK AIM

To develop our research, design, drawing, construction, launching, and writing skills. Your
challenge is to perform a scientific investigation into what is required for the optimum water
bottle rocket design.

General Inquiry Question:

What variables can increase the performance of a water

rocket?
Your three person research team will investigate some aspects (manipulated variable) of rocket
construction and performance. You will conduct some tests to determine the optimum model
design. You will be responsible for conducting your study using the scientific method and
process skills.
Refer to the experiment #2 to find more ideas on factors affecting performance of your water
rocket. Your rocket will be represented by the canister film. Define your independent variable to
start your own experiment design.
TASK
-Research the factors affecting the rocket
performance and define your
independent variable.
-Complete your hypothesis, variables,
procedures and template for data
collection
Carry out the experiment according to your
design
Submit the complete lab report.
Refer to the rubrics for all criterions

Final submission of complete Lab

Report (soft copy)

Date of
Completion

Comments

Teachers
Signature

EXPERIMENT # 2 ROCKETS FINS

WHY DO MOST ROCKETS HAVE FINS?

Flight Stability
Stability is the single most important factor in rocket
design. Stability does not necessarily mean to fly in
a straight line or to fly vertically it is the tendency
of a rocket to rotate towards the relative wind.
A stable rocket not only goes much higher than one
that is only moderately stable, but it also has a
much smoother flight.
As the rocket is moving through the air, wind can
disturb and change the rockets motion which in turn
could produce un-expected rotation of the rocket.
Some common ways to improve the rocket are
a. to add mass to the rocket
b. by adding fins.
c. positioning of the fins
d. shape of the fins
e. aerodynamics of the rocket (nose cone shapes)
Adding fins on a rocket would increase rockets
surface area and change the position of center of
pressure (CP) of the rocket. If the fins are properly
placed and designed the rockets stability when in motion could be increased dramatically.
design-fins/
Edited from:
http://www.leosingleton.com/projects/rockets/handbook.pdf pages 21-22

Source:
http://www.aircommandrockets.com/images/day72/Day72_13_s.jpg

After completing your experiment, present your result in a written report. The report should
have the following sections in order:

Put a tick mark ( ) if you have completed each one of them in your report.
Title of your experiment
A research question / problem statement
A hypothesis
An explanation to the hypothesis
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variables
Materials and equipment used
Set up diagram
Procedure / method applied

Table of data
Processing data and graph presentation
Trend and Conclusion
Comment on your methods and suggestions for improvement

CRITERION B
CRITERION B

Inquiring and designing

Level of Achievement
(7-8)

Level of Achievement
(5-6)

Level of Achievement
(3-4)

Level of Achievement
(1-2)

explain a problem or
question to be tested
by a scientific
investigation

describe a
outline a problem
problem or question
or question to be
to be tested by a
tested by a
scientific
scientific
investigation
investigation

state a problem
or question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation

formulate a testable
hypothesis and
explain it using
scientific reasoning

outline and
explain a testable
hypothesis using
correct scientific
reasoning

outline and
explain a testable
hypothesis using
scientific
reasoning

state a problem
or question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation

outline how to
manipulate the
variables, and
outline how
sufficient,
relevant data will
be collected
design a complete
and safe method
in which he or she
selects
appropriate
materials and
equipment

outline how to
state the variables
manipulate the
variables, and
state how
relevant data will
be collected

explain how to
describe how to
manipulate the
manipulate the
variables, and explain
variables, and
how data will be
describe how
collected
sufficient,
relevant data will
be collected
Design scientific
design a logical,
investigations.
complete and
safe method in
which he or she
selects
appropriate
materials and
equipment.

design a safe
method in which
he or she selects
materials and
equipment

Level of
Achievemen
t (0)

state a problem or
question to be
tested by a
scientific
investigation, with
limited success
state a testable
hypothesis

design a method,
with limited
success.

The student
does not
reach a
standard
identified by
any of the
descriptors

CRITERION C
CRITERION C

Processing and evaluating

Level of Achievement
(7-8)

Level of Achievement
(5-6)

correctly collect,
organize,
transform and
present data in
numerical and/ or
visual forms
accurately
interpret data
and describe
results using
correct scientific
reasoning
discuss the
validity of a
hypothesis based
on the outcome of
a scientific
investigation
discuss the
validity of the
method based on
the outcome of a
scientific
investigation

present collected and

transformed data

interpret data and

describe results using
scientific reasoning

discuss the validity of

a hypothesis based on
the outcome of the
scientific investigation

discuss the validity of

the method

Level of Achievement
(3-4)

Level of Achievement
(1-2)

correctly collect,
organize and
present data in
numerical and/or
visual forms

correctly collect collect and

and present data
present data in
in numerical
numerical and/or
and/or visual
visual forms
forms

accurately
interpret data
and describe
results using
scientific
reasoning
outline the
validity of a
hypothesis based
on the outcome of
a scientific
investigation
outline the
validity of the
method based on
the outcome of a
scientific
investigation

accurately
interpret data
and describe
results

state the validity

of a hypothesis
based on the
outcome of a
scientific
investigation
state the validity
of the method
based on the
outcome of a
scientific
investigation

accurately
interpret data

state the validity

of a hypothesis
with limited
reference to a
scientific
investigation
state the validity
of the method
with limited
reference to a
scientific
investigation

Level of
Achievemen
t (0)
The student
has not
reached a
standard
described
by any of
the
descriptors
given.

describe
improvements or
extensions to the
method.

Describe
improvements or
extensions to the
method that would
benefit the
scientific
investigation.

Outline
improvements or
extensions to the
method that would
benefit the
scientific
investigation.

State
improvements or
extensions to the
method that would
benefit the
scientific
investigation.

state limited
improvements or
extensions to the
method