Save the Astronaut Egg STEM Challenge

Can you save an egg astronaut from a sticky end? Test different materials to find out which protects an egg the best from a rocket launch and a crash to the ground!

We used a mini baking soda and vinegar powered rocket, but you could also try this activity with a water powered bottle rocket or a stomp rocket.

Mini bottle Rocket

You'll need

Small 500ml bottle - empty
A cork - this must fold very tightly inside the neck of the bottle.
Egg
Spoon and bowl
Bubble wrap or other protective materials
3 elastic bands
Half a piece of kitchen roll ( paper towel )
One tablespoon of baking soda - bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar or lemon juice
3 Straws
Tape

Instructions

Making the rocket

Use tape to attach three straws evenly spaced apart to the side of the bottle. It should stand upright.
Gently tap the top of an egg with a spoon and pick off a section of the shell. Shake the egg and empty the contents into a bowl.
Choose a protective material to put around the egg and wrap it carefully.
Use the elastic bands to attach the egg to the top of the rocket.

Launching the rocket

Pour about 2 cm of vinegar into the bottle.
Wrap the baking soda in the kitchen towel to make a loose parcel.
Find a hard surface outside to launch the rocket from.
When you're ready to launch, drop the baking soda parcel into the bottle, quickly add the cork, put the rocket down and stand back!
Check whether the egg is still intact.

Warning - make sure you have a clear, empty space and keep observers away from the launch site.

Wrapping the baking soda in a kitchen towel slows the reaction, giving you time to place the cork inside the bottle opening.

Why does the rocket fly?

Baking soda (an alkali) and vinegar (an acid) react to neutralise each other, releasing carbon dioxide gas. The gas builds up inside the bottle. When the pressure is high enough, the cork shoots out, and the bottle flies into the air.

This is an example of Newton's Third Law.