Hi, this is Oda from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Today, we're going to build and launch a straw rocket and then try to improve our design. NASA uses rockets to launch satellites and astronauts into space. Rockets are tall and thin and have a pointed nose cone to make them travel through the air smoothly. All rockets need a source of propulsion or energy to get off the ground. NASA's rockets use engines and rocket fuel. The rocket you'll build today will use air from your lungs. To build your rocket, you'll need a few items. First, print a copy of the rocket template found on the activity linked below or just use a piece of plain paper that you can sketch the template onto. Next, grab a pair of scissors, a sharpened pencil, a straw, some tape, and a tape measure if you have one. Now, cut out the rocket body, also known as a fuselage. Wrap the paper snugly around your pencil and tape the paper to itself. Be sure to not tape the paper to your pencil. Next, cut out the fins along the dashed lines. Tape the fins to the opposite sides of the pencil near the end of the fuselage closest to the pencil eraser. Be sure to only tape the fins to the fuselage and not to the pencil. Now, fold the fins so they will stick out from the fuselage at 90 degree angles. Scoop the fuselage to the sharpen end of the pencil and twist the paper around the pencil point to make a nose cone. Secure the nose cone to itself with tape. Your rocket is now done and ready for its engine. Remove the pencil from your rocket and insert your straw engine. Find a safe place where no one is in your path and launch your rocket by blowing swiftly into the straw. Measure the distance your rocket flew and record this. Now, make a new rocket that is different in one way. Maybe change the fins or the length of the nose cone or even use a different weight of paper. Launch your new rocket and record the distance it flew. Continue improving your design until you have a rocket that will consistently fly the farthest distance. For more ideas and detailed instructions, take a look at this page. Have fun building and flying your straw rockets.