This Balloon Rockets activity was inspired by my experience at LiftOff at NASA and is the perfect way to kick off your forces and motion unit.

Students collaborate to design and launch a balloon rocket that successfully reaches the ceiling. Once they meet that goal, they level up by adding payload and redesigning for success, building teamwork, problem-solving skills, and classroom community right from the start of the year.

This isn’t just a one-day activity. It becomes an anchoring experience you can refer back to all unit long as you introduce and explore all of Newton’s Laws of Motion. Students can connect their hands-on experience to each concept, making the learning more meaningful and memorable.

This teacher guide, slides, and student handouts are designed to boost engagement and understanding. You’ll need a few extra supplies (balloons, string, tape, etc.), but the step-by-step guide walks you through setup, key questions to ask, and how to facilitate powerful, hands-on learning throughout your unit.