Soda Bottle Rockets

I've been trying to get this post up since easter and today we finally got around to it. We didn't get a chance to go outside and try it out but I hope that you will because really a two year old in the living room doesn't do it justice - you can get some serious hight with these.

Credit where credit is due. There is a lady in my ward who is amazing. I can't get a hold of her to ask if it will be alright to use her name here so she will have to remain anonymous for the time being. She is what I would imagine Cathy being like in her ward- always a great attitude no matter what is going on, has a "cute" idea for anything and everything and a way to accomplish it, and everything will always be easy - even if it means no sleep the night before the event she's planing. I started thinking they were similar when I saw Cathy's boot camp preparations it looked like something similar to what this sister would do. She is the one with the knowhow for these and gives the helpful tip that bike shops have a lot of old tires that they are usually happy to part with. She asked a shop where she used to live if there were any that she could get from them for cheap and they complied by giving her around 300 for free - just make sure that there aren't any with big holes you can't plug up with duct tape effectively or any with that hole filler goo inside (not fun to have around your face).

Materials:

1. 8x11 piece of paper
2. 3 3x5 index cards or card stock cut to a similar size
3. masking tape
4. duct tape
5. scissors
   
6. bicycle tire
7. empty 2 liter bottle
8. 10'' pvc pipe

This is now my third attempt at writing this (both of the previous times I went to post and it erased everything) so it's not as detailed as you want-sorry. The pictures should help but if any thing isn't making since just call or email me so you don't give yourself a headache - my instructions are lacking - sorry I don't have more time.

I like to make the rocket before the launching device because it's easier to do when the bottle is not attached to the pipe.

To make the rocket:

1. Loosely roll the 8.5x11 paper around the PVC pipe and tape along the seam for the entire length of the paper with masking tape. You want it loose enough that you can get the rocket on and off the pipe easily but not so loose that the air will escape when you shoot it off.
2. Remove the paper from the pipe and pinch one end of the newly formed paper cylinder so it resembles the tip of a rocket. The first piece of tape should go right over the top so no air escapes and then tape all around the sides to get a good seal.
3. Hold the 3x5 cards together and cut fins. They can be any shape you want the important part is to have them all the same. Leave a .5'' seam to cut so you can attach them more easily. See picture to for how to cut.
4. Fold each flap a different direction and attach to the paper cylinder using tape.

For the launching device:

1. If the bicycle tire isn't already cut, cut it once all the way through.
   
2. Put one end of the tire over the bottle and secure with duct tape. Make sure you have a good seal and no air is escaping.(this is before the tape)
   
3. Connect the other end of the tire to the PVC pipe with duct tape and again make sure you have a good seal.(the end result...alex doesn't want to take the picture he wants to shoot it off)

To Launch:

1. Slide your rocket onto the PVC pipe.
2. Without holding onto the rocket hold the PVC pipe so it is pointing where you want to shoot it.
3. Stomp on the 2 litter bottle to launch. You have to make sure that you are stepping on the middle of the bottle. We left the wrappers on and told them to make sure they stepped on the wrappers other wise the bottles will crack and break.
   
4. Blow into the PVC pipe to get it ready to launch again.