They meet the four forces of flight at the end of a tape measure

1. 01

   First Launches

   Students build straw-and-paper rockets, adjust nose shape and nose weight, and track how far each version flies. Their first real practice at recording results and spotting patterns.

2. 02

   Virtual Test Bench

   A beginner-friendly rocket-design simulator lets them change fin size, body length and materials on screen — and start connecting those choices to stability and balance point.

3. 03

   Real Builds, Real Launches

   Digital designs become physical cardboard-and-paper rockets, launched from student-built rigs. Finned versus fin-less flights get logged in tables and charted side by side.

4. 04

   Higher Stakes

   Pressurized water-bottle rockets add real power, so small construction errors matter. Precision and symmetry stop being nagging and start being physics.

5. 05

   Wings Next

   The program shifts to aircraft: motorized paper gliders, then laser-cut balsa-wood rubber-band planes — revisiting lift, drag, thrust and weight in a new form factor.

6. 06

   Flight Review

   Teams present their best and worst designs with the data behind both, and defend the principle they think explains the difference.

Students don't memorise the four forces of flight — they find them, one test flight at a time.