The activity consists of students building and testing rockets made from straws (for structure and nozzles), rubber bands (to hold the straws together), and balloons (to provide the pressurized air that drives the rocket). It is geared towards students from six to thirteen years of age.
Because students learn better when they are encouraged to figure things out for themselves than when they are merely lectured at, the activity should be conducted as a guided experiment rather than as a demonstration. The instructor will introduce the concept initally, but allow the students to test their designs (and the concepts behind their designs) largely by themselves. When the students do not realize the concept of action and reaction on their own, it should be gently suggested to them rather than handed down by fiat. It is, however, important that the concept is discussed by the instructor; and that this discussion is illustrated by showing how rockets obey the law of action and reaction.
The activity boxes will include bendable straws, rubber bands, balloons, and scissors. Some care must be taken with the scissors when dealing with younger children, but the other parts of the activity are completely safe. Each kit (for one or two children, depending on age) fits in one's hand, so 30 kits will easily fit in the trunk of a compact car. The activity will require at least 20 minutes but can easily be stretched to fill longer times, as students should enjoy building and launching rockets. A benefit to the cheapness of the materials is that students can easily take their designs home and continue exploring balloon rocketry there.