Presented by National Grid
Written By Dan Walsh
STEM Educator
Supply ideas:
Paper tube, balloon, scissors, duct tape
Length:
10 minutes
Academic Subjects:
Science:
Directions for Pom-pom Launcher
Today we are going to be looking at physics. Physics is a branch of science that focuses on matter which is anything that takes up space such as air, rocks, and even candy and forces such as push and pull. A person who studies physics is called a physicist. We are going to act as physicist and build a pom-pom launcher.
- Tie a knot at the very end of your balloon. The knot should be tied near the mouthpiece.
- Working on the other end of your balloon, cut a small piece off.
- Stretch your balloon out over your paper tube.
- Secure the balloon down with a piece of duct tape.
- Now comes the physics part. Place several pom-poms into the tube.
- Pull the balloon string back and let go.
- Depending on which way you aim the launcher the pom-poms will either fall out or spray everywhere!
Pom-pom Launcher Vocabulary
Matter– Can come in three different states; solid, liquid, and gas.
Force– Cause an object to accelerate, slow down, remain in place, or change shape.
Prediction– To make a guess on what you think will happen.
