3 replies to this topic

[MarcCallaghan]

Hi all,

I've joined the forum hoping to gain a bit of advice, knowledge and help. I run a technology department in a Scottish secondary school (in Ayrshire) and intend to start a model rocket club. A club in which the kids can come and build their design under supervision, be supplied a rocket motor and fly/test them in the school grounds. Fortunately we are in quite a remote location so there's plenty of space away from homes and roads to fly.

I did run a similar club a few years back, whilst teaching in Essex and the kids generally loved it. At that time we bought inexpensive solid rocket motors from a company named EuroCraft who have unfortunately since stopped trading. At the time we were buying them in at £5 for 10. They weren't very powerful but they were cheap.

Problem: Funds are very tight, what with budgets being slashed and the boss isn't overly concerned with extra clubs when he's struggling to simply pay wages. Also the motors currently available on the UK market seem awfully expensive.
I had decided to make some simple pottassium nitrate:castor sugar rockets ourselves and offer them to the kids at cost price but am having a real problem sourcing the pottassium nitrate. I can source the 'pure' stuff through the science dept. but it's very expensive and a waste as i don't need it to be so pure. I have called into a number of large gardening centres but am immediately made to feel as welcome as a root canal when i ask for the pottassium nitrate fertilizer.

Can anyone help? I essentially need a supplier where i can buy the occassional medium/large bag of pottassium nitrate without incurring a massive postage fee or being made to feel like a criminal when asking.

Also, i'd be grateful for any advice concerning designs and materials suitable for young kids (12-14yrs old).

Thanks

Marc

[phildunford]

Hi Marc,

First of all, good luck with your project - we need more teachers like you. I work at a school (IT Tech) & do a science based firework club several times a year (lots of bangs!) so I know what you are up against.

Firstly, although it seems a good idea, you are on very shakey legal grounds making rocket motors & if you then sold them to the kids you could potentially be in all sorts of trouble from a liability & MSER standpoint. Estes motors are your best bet, even though they are a bit pricey. I use the smallest ones with the kids and get a pretty good performance. I tend to buy quite a few at once, as shipping on small quantities is pretty heavy.

The rockets I make with the kids are super simple, just a sheet of A4 card, more card for fins, a cork or similar for a nosecone. Use some cut up bin bag as a re-entry streamer. You can pretty much make these for nothing.

I've also sent you a PM - check your inbox...

[crystal palace fireworks]

Marc,

Also take a look here;-

http://www.ukayroc.org.uk/

http://www.cleapss.org.uk/

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 01 October 2010 - 11:11 AM.

[MarcCallaghan]

Thanks for the info guys.

I'll look up those motors and browse the sites.