Egg - Rocket - Science! - Make an Egg Rocket

Aug 22, 2026

A hands-on STEM activity guiding learners through simple rocket concepts using an egg rocket built from everyday materials. The guide explains rocket basics through videos, then leads a step-by-step build: decorating and constructing a paper cone nose, assembling the tube, and performing a quick safety-guided launch using Alka-Seltzer, water, and a plastic egg. Includes journaling prompts, experimentation options to improve flight, and extension ideas like related media and worksheets, plus a spotlight on Katherine Johnson to connect the build to real spaceflight computing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Gather Your Materials

Check Out the Science

Journal Time

Make an Egg Rocket

Step 1: Decorate Your Rocket

Step 2: Build the Rocket

Blast Off

Step 1: Safety First

Step 2: Take-Off

Step 3: Experiment

Extensions & Spotlight

EGG ROCKET SCIENCE [www.tigerlilystem.com](www.tigerlilystem.com) © TigerLily STEM, 2020 Gather your materials! Journal ( notebook or paper) Pencil Computer, tablet or phone to watch videos Plastic eggs Alka-Seltzer tabs Water Toilet paper tube Tape or glue Materials to decorate your rockets ( markers, stickers, paint, etc.) Scissors Construction paper Check out the science! How does a rocket blast off? Watch the video below to find out. Rockets 101: National Geographic Video! How does a rocket fly? Watch SCI Kids Show! Journal time! Use your paper and pencil to write or draw what you learned from the video. Here are some questions you can use as thought starters! Write down the 4 systems in a rocket. What is thrust? Would you want to be an astronaut when you grow up? Why? Make an Egg Rocket! Step 1: Gather your supplies! Tape or glue Markers, stickers, paint, etc. Toilet paper tube Plastic egg Alka-Seltzer tab Construction paper Scissors Step 2: Decorate your Rocket! Paint or color your rocket (toilet paper tube), use your imagination! Also, be sure to come up with a name for your rocket! Note: Do not add anything too heavy when decorating, or the rocket won't fly. Step 3: Build the Rocket! Cut a circle out of construction paper, just a little bigger than the diameter of the tube. Make a cut to the middle of the circle. Then form the circle into a cone to be the front of your rocket. Put a line of glue around one end of your tube. Gently place the paper cone on it and let dry. Blast Off! Step 1: Safety First! This part requires adult help! The explosion isn’t big, but it can be sudden. Do not point the rocket at anyone. Make sure everyone is a few yards away when the rocket launches. Step 2: Take-Off! Note: This part takes some trial and error. It's a great learning experience for your child to discover what works and what doesn't. They will get to be a Rocket Scientist! Take your plastic egg and tape up any holes that might be in it. Put the narrower end of the egg into the open end of your rocket and tape it into place. Take an Alka-Seltzer tablet and break it into quarters. Put a piece into the other end of the egg. Now it is time to act fast. Put a tablespoon of water into the bottom of the egg and quickly close up the egg. Hold the rocket by the bottom egg and watch it blast off! And in a few seconds, it should launch! Try adding a bigger piece if it doesn't launch You can repeat this with more tablets. Step 3: Experiment: Try adding more tablets, water or different eggs. Try using a paper towel roll instead. Also, you could experiment with baking soda and vinegar in your rocket. We want to see your Egg Rockets! Have your parent post a picture or video of your Rocket Launch and tag our TigerLily STEM Facebook page! STEM superhero spotlight! One of NASA's human 'computers,' Katherine Johnson performed the complex calculations that enabled humans to successfully achieve space flight. Her story is depicted in the 2016 movie 'Hidden Figures. ' Johnson continued to serve as a key asset for NASA, helping to develop its Space Shuttle program and Earth Resources Satellite, until her retirement in 1986. [https://www.biography.com/scientist/katherine-g-johnson](https://www.biography.com/scientist/katherine-g-johnson) Journal time! What did you learn? Why is important that we continue to learn and explore space? What would you change about your rocket to get it to fly higher and further? Extensions! Lookingfor more? Try some of these fun ideas to extend your learning! Watch the movie " Hidden Figures!" with your family. Rocket Math Addition Worksheet How Do Astronauts Eat in Space Lesson! Books: "Mosetronaut" "I Am Neil Armstrong!" Here are some fun coloring pages! Rocket Coloring Pages

FAQs

What materials are needed to make an Egg Rocket?

You’ll need a plastic egg, Alka-Seltzer tabs, water, a toilet paper tube, construction paper, tape or glue, scissors, and decoration supplies like markers or paint. A phone or tablet for watching videos and a journal for notes are also suggested.

How does the rocket launch work in this activity?

Tape and position the egg into the tube, add a quartered Alka-Seltzer piece to the egg end, then quickly add water and close the egg. Holding the rocket by the bottom egg lets it blast off as the reaction creates thrust.

What experiments can you try if the rocket doesn’t launch or you want it to fly better?

Try using a bigger tablet piece, adding more tablets, changing the amount of water, or testing different eggs. You can also switch to a paper towel roll or experiment with baking soda and vinegar.

Aug 22, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair