#freefromtrash Drinking Straw

Day #7: Drinking straw
We are lucky to have one of the world's best space museums in Hutchinson, KS!! I cannot say enough good things about the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center! It is one of the boys' favorite places to go. They always have family activities and programs. Last Saturday, the children's department at the library and the Cosmosphere offered free tours as part of their summer reading program, "Dream Big READ!" It was specifically geared for kids preschool age-1st grade. Since Tate can pretty much give a basic tour of the museum, I was a little nervous that he would be bored. Thank goodness I was completely wrong! The tour guide did an awesome job and we all learned something new.

 Day 189: Tate and his cousins, Julianna, Drew and Lily listening about the space race between the United States and Russia.

While we were there, I got my idea for the recycled drinking straw. When we got to the museum, some of the kids from space camp were shooting paper rockets in the lobby using an air compressor. It reminded me that at several of the Cosmosphere activities, they have had the kids make paper rockets with drinking straw launchers. The pieces have always been pre-cut for us so it is easier to put together quickly, but it isn't difficult to do yourself.

The inspiration

Materials:
Paper or card stock 
scissors
tape
drinking straw

1. You need a rectangle, 2-3 triangles and a circle.
2. Roll the rectangle into a tube and tape (or glue). I used ink pins to help determine the circumference and to make it easier to roll.
3. Tape the triangles to one end.
4. Cut a slit in the circle to make it easier to roll into a cone.
5. Roll the circle into a cone and tape (or glue).
6. Tape the cone to the other end of your tube. Make sure there is not a gap between the paper and tape. In other words, you need a good seal.

6. Slide your rocket over a straw and blow!

 Day 192: Drinking straw rocket/ missile launcher