Colorado 4-H Project e-Record Selector
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4-H Model Rocketry Project
The model rocketry project is designed to help young people learn how to build and design rockets. Members will help make their dreams of sending a rocket into space, becoming an astronaut or perhaps someday visiting other planets by becoming involved in the experiences of this project.
Step 3: Select Your Project
Unit 1 Introduction to Rocketry
This unit is for member ages 8-18 years old, who have little to no experience in building a model rocket. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:
- How a model rocket works
- Design features of a model rocket
- Tools and special techniques needed for building model rockets
- Safe installation of the engines
- Necessary equipment and procedures for safe launch
- Build at least one skill-level-one rocket
Unit 2 Basic Model Rocketry
This unit is for member ages 8-18 years old. This unit builds on the skills and techniques learned in the previous unit. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:
- Build at least one skill-level-two rocket
- Learn types of rockets
- Learn the Model Rocket Safety Code
- Learn basic parts of a rocket
- Learn the recovery parts of a rocket
- Learn the launching parts of a rocket
- Tools and special equipment for building and launching a rocket
Unit 3 Intermediate Model Rocketry
This unit is for members 8-18 years old that have experience in building and launching model rockets. It is recommended that the member complete the first two units before doing unit 3. This unit covers new and exciting areas not covered in Unit 2. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:
- What is multi-staging
- Cold power model rockets
- Model rocket launch systems
- Rear engine boost-gliders
- Front engine boost gliders
Unit 4 Advanced Model Rocketry
This unit is designed for member ages 8-18 years old that are serious about model rocketry as a hobby. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:
- How to organize a model rocket club
- Why bodies orbit is the first law of motion
- Engine types and classification
- Introduction to model rocket engine performance
- How big is that parachute---too big or too small
- Art of the payload launch
Unit 6 Designer Model Rocketry
This unit is designed for member ages 8-18 years old that are in to designing their own rockets. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:
- Learn about rocket stability
- How to build a wind tunnel
- Aerial photography
- Rocketronics
- Why you need cluster rockets
- Glossary of terms
- Adaptable electronic kits available
- What engines to use
- How to connect igniters properly
Step 4:
The items listed below are your project requirements. Select each in turn to access a Word Document. Once you have your document, please save it to your hard drive or other media before entering information.
- Colorado 4-H Model Rocketry Project Tip Sheet
- 4-H Project E-Record for Family/Consumer Science and General Projects
Colorado State Fair and Local County Fair Exhibit Requirements:
Note to all units:
- Rocket exhibits must relate to the skill level for the unit entered. Units 1-4 should include the color picture of the rocket and skill level title from the rocket-kit package as part of their record book. All project material must be organized and secured in a sturdy binder/notebook. Unit 6 must have a copy of plans or blueprints including instructions “step by step” to build the rocket.
- Fins must be balsa wood and finished with paint in classes indicated.
Fins of plastic or other materials must be exhibited in classes so indicated. - Rockets are to be displayed and held by a rod or support no taller than the rocket on a base not to exceed (12”x12”x1”) thick. Only the rocket will be judged. Do not decorate the base.
- Do not include live or expended engines in the rocket exhibited.
- If rocket is damaged in launching, it can still be judged for quality of construction, e-record and pictures.
- Display rockets cannot be used for Rocket Fly Day competition.
- Cold power is no longer available to be used as an engine power for rockets.
Note: Please read specific rules for your Unit.
Unit 1 Introduction to Model Rocketry
Exhibitors can make either Non Balsa Fins or Balsa Fins for an exhibit.
Exhibit will consist of the following:
1. Completed e-Record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.
2. Include in the Project Information and Activity Log the following information:
- List new skills learned in this unit; list ‘payloads launched in this project (other than recovery devices); list any rocket testing or launching equipment that you built in this unit; and list project meeting or events you led in this unit, and project adventures completed.
3. In the e-Record on the page titled Specific Project Information enter the rockets you built in this unit. Include the following information:
- Model name; skill level; from a stock kit, modified kit or self-designed-and-built; power; single-stage, multi-stage; cluster; the fuselage; single-tube or glider rear- engine or glider front-engine or glider canard; engine information, engine code, label color and type of recovery system.
4. In the e-Record on the page titled Specific Project information provide the following information if the rocket was launched:
- Number of times successfully launched; kind of launch pad used; kind of electrical system used; tracking method used; observer’s distance from rocket; angle achieved and altitude achieved; did you have any special problems, before, during and after launching and what did you do to overcome the problems you encountered.
5. One rocket personally built or other display related to work done at
Skill Level I.
Unit 2 Basic Model Rocketry
Exhibitor may only exhibit Balsa Fin rocket.
Exhibit will consist of the following:
1. Completed e-Record with completed questions in manual pages 27-31, presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.
2. Include in the Project Information and Activity Log the following information:
- List new skills learned in this unit; list ‘payloads launched in this project (other than recovery devices); list any rocket testing or launching equipment that you built in this unit; and list project meeting or events you led in this unit, and project adventures completed.
3. In the e-Record on the page titled Specific Project Information enter the rockets you built in this unit. Include the following information:
- Model name; skill level; from a stock kit, modified kit or self-designed-and-built; power; single-stage, multi-stage; cluster; the fuselage; single-tube or glider rear- engine or glider front-engine or glider canard; engine information, engine code, label color and type of recovery system.
4. Provide the following information if the rocket was launched on the page titled Specific Project Information:
- Number of times successfully launched; kind of launch pad used; kind of electrical system used; tracking method used; observer’s distance from rocket; angle achieved and altitude achieved; did you have any special problems, before, during and after launching and what did you do to overcome the problems you encountered.
5. One rocket personally built or display related to work done at Skill Level II.
Unit 3 Intermediate Model Rocketry
Exhibitor may only exhibit a Balsa Fin rocket.
Exhibit will consist of the following:
1. Completed e-Record with completed questions in manual pages 31-35 presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.
2. Include in the Project Information and Activity Log the following information:
- List new skills learned in this unit; list ‘payloads launched in this project (other than recovery devices); list any rocket testing or launching equipment that you built in this unit; and list project meeting or events you led in this unit, and project adventures completed.
3. In the e-Record on the page title Specific Project Information, include the following information:
- Model name; skill level; from a stock kit, modified kit or self-designed-and-built; power; single-stage, multi-stage; cluster; the fuselage; single-tube or glider rear- engine or glider front-engine or glider canard; engine information, engine code, label color and type of recovery system.
4. Provide the following information if the rocket was launched on the page titled Specific Project Information:
- Number of times successfully launched; kind of launch pad used; kind of electrical system used; tracking method used; observer’s distance from rocket; angle achieved and altitude achieved; did you have any special problems, before, during and after launching and what did you do to overcome the problems you encountered.
5. One rocket personally built in unit or display related to work done at
Skill Level III.
Unit 4 Advanced Model Rocketry
Exhibitor may use a finished fin of any type for the rocket.
Exhibit will consist of the following:
1 Completed e-Record with completed questions in manual pages 14-18 in a sturdy binder/notebook.
2. Include in the Project Information and Activity Log the following information:
- List new skills learned in this unit; list ‘payloads launched in this project (other than recovery devices); list any rocket testing or launching equipment that you built in this unit; and list project meeting or events you led in this unit, and project adventures completed.
3. In the e-Record on the page tilted Specific Project Information, include the following information:
- Model name; skill level; from a stock kit, modified kit or self-designed-and-built; power; single-stage, multi-stage; cluster; the fuselage; single-tube or glider rear-engine or glider front-engine or glider canard; engine information, engine code, label color and type of recovery system.
4. Provide the following information if the rocket was launched on the page titled Specific Project Information:
- Number of times successfully launched; kind of launch pad used; kind of electrical system used; tracking method used; observer’s distance from rocket; angle achieved and altitude achieved; did you have any special problems, before, during and after launching and what did you do to overcome the problems you encountered.
5. One rocket personally built in unit or display related to work done in
Skill Level IV.
Unit 6 Designer Model Rocketry
Exhibitor may use a finished fin of any type for the rocket.
Exhibit will consist of the following:
1. Completed e-Record with design worksheets and completed questions in manual on pages 35-39, presented in a sturdy binder/notebook. Must have a copy of the plans or blueprints on how to build the rocket.
2. Include in the Project Information and Activity Log the following information:
- List new skills learned in this unit; list “payloads” launched in this project (other than recovery devices); list any rocket testing or launching equipment that you built in this unit; and list project meeting or events you led in this unit, and project adventures completed.
3. In the e-Record on the page title Specific Project Information, include the following information:
- Model name; skill level; from a stock kit, modified kit or self-designed-and-built; power; single-stage, multi-stage; cluster; the fuselage; single-tube or glider rear- engine or glider front-engine or glider canard; engine information, engine code, label color and type of recovery system.
4. Provide the following information if the rocket was launched on the page title Specific Project Information:
- Number of times successfully launched; kind of launch pad used; kind of electrical system used; tracking method used; observer’s distance from rocket; angle achieved and altitude achieved; did you have any special problems, before, during and after launching and what did you do to overcome the problems you encountered.
5. One rocket personally designed, built (no kits) and used in unit or display related to work done.
