Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Select delivery location

The Science Source Single Bottle-Rocket Launcher

3.3 3.3 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand The Science Source
Theme Science Fiction
Age Range (Description) Kid
Item dimensions L x W x H 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
Item Weight 7.2 ounces

About this item

  • Single bottle-rocket launcher provides students in grade 5-9 (age 10-15) hands-on experience studying force and aerodynamics
  • Students create custom designs and build water-propelled rockets, testing variables such as water level, air pressure, and aerodynamic design choices
  • For use on soft turf where launcher can be secured
  • Includes rocket launcher, tubing, hardware, paper astrolabe for measuring rocket altitude, and instructions
  • You will need a plastic soda bottle, and a bike pump to launch rocket (sold separately)

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches; 7.2 ounces
  • Our Recommended age ‏ : ‎ 8 years and up
  • Manufacturer recommended age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 23146
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2012
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ The Science Source
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008AK6600
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.3 3.3 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

Product Description

The Single Bottle-Rocket Launcher provides students a hands-on experience studying force and aerodynamics by turning a plastic soda bottle into a water-propelled rocket. Students create custom designs and build their own rockets, testing variables such as water level, air pressure, and aerodynamic design choices such as fin placement. A paper astrolabe is included for measuring rocket altitude. This launcher is designed for use on soft turf where the launcher can be secured. Kit includes a rocket launcher, tubing, hardware, paper astrolabe, and instructions. Use for grades 5-9 (ages 10-15). Please note you will need a plastic soda bottle, and a bike pump to launch rocket (sold separately). Also available the Bottle Rocket Launch Pad which can be used if you are trying to launch from a hard surface such as a parking lot (ASIN B008AK669Q).

Science education products incorporate applied math and science principles into classroom projects. Teachers in pre-K, elementary, and secondary classrooms use science education kits and products alongside science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum to demonstrate STEM concepts and real-world applications through hands-on activities. Science education projects include a broad range of activities, such as practical experiments in engineering, aeronautics, robotics, energy, chemistry, physics, biology, and geology.

From the manufacturer

unspecified
unspecified

Make an impact on student learning with hand2mind!

Here at hand2mind we believe children learn best by doing. For over 50 years, teachers and administrators at thousands of schools and districts across the country have relied on our high-quality, hands-on materials to expand their core curriculum.

hand2mind Offers Great Educational Products For...

unspecified

unspecified

unspecified

unspecified

Science

We offer a comprehensive assortment of science manipulatives to nurture and engage your curious STEM learners! Develop creativity and innovation through structured activities and laboratory experiences encompassing biology, chemistry, earth science, physical science, coding, and more!

Literacy

Developing early literacy skills makes it easier for children to learn to read. Hands-on classroom literacy supplies makes it easier for kids to learn phonemic awareness, phonics and fluency.

Math

Math manipulatives allow students to construct their own cognitive models for abstract mathematical ideas and processes, as well as use a common language with which to communicate these models to the teacher and other students.

Distance learning

hand2mind provides a wide range of personal protective equipment for schools so that your child feels protected and safe while learning. We offer disposable face masks, hand sanitizers, digital disposable thermometers, safety goggles, face shields, head covers, and safety gowns.

unspecified unspecified unspecified unspecified unspecified unspecified
Blue Base Ten Blocks (Set of 161) BOB Books and VersaTiles Beginning Readers Set Mini Rekenreks (Set of 4) 5-Inch Children's Safety Glasses (Pack of 4) Fraction Tower Cubes (Set of 51) Blue Indoor Scooter Board
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
1,099
4.7 out of 5 stars
732
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,155
4.4 out of 5 stars
824
4.8 out of 5 stars
2,625
4.7 out of 5 stars
2,136
Price $36.54 $29.99 $14.44 $13.75 $13.42 $26.47
Recommended Grade Level 3, 4, 5, 6 PreK, K, 1 PreK, K, 1, 2 All Grade Levels 3, 4, 5, 6 All Grade Levels
unspecified

What's in the box

  • Includes rocket launcher, tubing, hardware, paper astrolabe

    • Looking for specific info?

    Customer reviews

    3.3 out of 5 stars
    3.3 out of 5
    34 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers have negative opinions about the sturdiness and valve of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that the launcher is unstable and prone to tip over. They also say that the valve is poorly built and wears down. Opinions are mixed on performance.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    7 customers mention4 positive3 negative

    Customers have mixed opinions about the performance of the science fundamentals kit. Some mention that it works well, while others say that the plastic wears down and it's unusable.

    "The unit is very good and once you solve the one big problem, it worked very well...." Read more

    "...Eventually the plastic wore down and it was unusable. The new one is made of metal and looks to be more durable." Read more

    "...If one can get this into the ground straight, it works well repeatedly...." Read more

    "Without something to hold the legs into the ground this was not usable" Read more

    7 customers mention2 positive5 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the sturdiness of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that the two metal stakes are not super stable, the launcher is very unstable, and prone to tip over. The mechanism sticks and wobbles up and down while locked, and the launch pad becomes dirty easily.

    "...has 2 metal prongs, which left the launcher very unstable and prone to tip over. I was constantly having to adjust the launcher between launches...." Read more

    "...The new one is made of metal and looks to be more durable." Read more

    "...Becomes dirty easily and secures only looselyIf one can get this into the ground straight, it works well repeatedly...." Read more

    "...The plastic/plexiglass mechanism sticks and wobbles up and down while locked...." Read more

    4 customers mention0 positive4 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the valve of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that it's poorly built, causing the string to break and the plastic to wear down. The stopper would invariably fail, spewing water prematurely.

    "...Used it regularly in the classroom. Eventually the plastic wore down and it was unusable. The new one is made of metal and looks to be more durable." Read more

    "...As a result, at around 10 psi the stopper would invariably fail, spewing water prematurely and leaving twenty ten year olds (and their teacher)..." Read more

    "...this one online, but upon first use found this one has a more poorly built valve than my previous one, allowing some water to back up into tubing...." Read more

    "...One of them would not hold the bottle and the string continued to break." Read more

    Love my Rocket Launcher
    5 Stars
    Love my Rocket Launcher
    I have been using this type of launcher for about 10 years. Mine still works but I have a lot of knowledge launching water rockets. I removed the two spikes and replaced them with 4 "L" brackets and mounted it to a 6" square piece of plastic and then mounted the plastic to a 16" square of PVC pipes. I can launch water rockets on any surface and have been for years. The spare parts were bought at Lowe's for less than $10. My only complaint is that I bought my launcher for $8 back then. Much more expensive today.
    Hide
    Thank you for your feedback
    Sorry, there was an error
    Sorry we couldn't load the review

    Top reviews from the United States

    JEM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but there is one big problem
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The unit is very good and once you solve the one big problem, it worked very well. The problem is that the rubber stopper is supposed to be held tightly in the bottle neck, but the rubber stopper is about 1/8" too short and the horizontal bar does not push it tightly into the bottle neck. So when you add pressurized air, the stopper is pushed out of the bottle neck even though the bottle is still being held tightly in position by the two arms. The solution was to get a large thick washer and cut a notch into it so that it looked like the letter C. Then I slid the washer under the stopper and it was now held tightly in place so that pressurized air could be added. This solution will make more sense once you actually get a unit and experience the problem. Other than that, the unit worked very well.
    Helpful
     Report
    Jodi Devonshire
    5.0 out of 5 stars I bought one of these a few years back. ...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I bought one of these a few years back. Used it regularly in the classroom. Eventually the plastic wore down and it was unusable. The new one is made of metal and looks to be more durable.
    Helpful
     Report
    William
    2.0 out of 5 stars 2 prong instability
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this item because I was looking for a water bottle rocket launcher to help out some middle school students with a science project. The class had 1 launcher, but I was looking to purchase a second one so that I could put together and launch some of my own rockets (I had never done this project before and wanted to practice prior to helping out the class), as well as having a second launcher on hand to speed up the time between launchings for the students themselves.

    This launcher will launch water propelled bottles, but this item only has 2 metal prongs, which left the launcher very unstable and prone to tip over. I was constantly having to adjust the launcher between launches. In addition, if you plan to launch off a hard platform, this item cannot be used as it is designed to be anchored into the ground (dirt).

    In closing, this item can be used to launch water bottle rockets, but it cannot be used on a hard platform (parking lot, street,...), and you will need to be prepared to find additional ways to stabilize this 2 prong launcher (I ended up having to use a 50-pound grass fertilizer bag on each side of the launcher).
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
    K. Menna
    1.0 out of 5 stars Houston, we have a problem.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Even after repeated pounding with a mallet, I was unable to achieve a good seal. As a result, at around 10 psi the stopper would invariably fail, spewing water prematurely and leaving twenty ten year olds (and their teacher) sorely disappointed. If you're not a gifted enough craftsman to construct a launcher yourself, bite the bullet and invest in a more expensive, higher quality product. You get what you pay for.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
    Kellso
    3.0 out of 5 stars Better than other cheap launchers, but not perfect
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Bought one of these years ago direct from manufacturer and its been my go-to launcher (I'm a science teacher). Mounted mine to an X of wood for a stable base.
    Been seeking to replace the stopper / tubing on mine for awhile and was delighted to find this one online, but upon first use found this one has a more poorly built valve than my previous one, allowing some water to back up into tubing. Stopper also doesn't seal as well allowing extensive leakage with some bottle types, although this may have more to do with the bottle opening indent in my old-faithful than in any flaw with the new one.
    In short, this is better than the other two inexpensive ones I've tried (Aquapod and prefabricated PVC kits--one didn't work at all with my air compressor / bike pump, and the other didn't fit multiple bottle types in quick succession), but I wish it was manufactured to the same quality as my previous edition.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
    Luke Sayger
    4.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Sturdy
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Good things
    -Holds up well to light and moderate use
    -Seals well to 2 liter bottles (I have yet to try other sizes)
    -Stakes remain in ground for several launches if placed properly
    -Thorough instructions
    -Only requires a pump, water and soda bottle in order to use
    -No safety automatic safety release (this could also be a drawback, but for my purposes I liked it)

    Things I did not like
    -Difficult to stake (requires considerable effort or technique)
    -Sharp edges require adult supervision when handling
    -Friction fit plastic tool attached to release string. Becomes dirty easily and secures only loosely

    If one can get this into the ground straight, it works well repeatedly. If one doesn't have experience with launchers like this, it can be hard to set up, but I like the design and exploratory value of this launcher. I have only owned mine a few months, but it shows little evidence of deterioration. I will update this review if anything goes wrong in the near future, but I don't expect to need to.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
    Mr Pontiac
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gets the job done again and again
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Works great, my son loves launching bottles at the park!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
    Amy
    2.0 out of 5 stars Unstable
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Without something to hold the legs into the ground this was not usable
    Helpful
     Report