Compressed Air Paper Rocket Launcher

I built a compressed air paper rocket launcher. One small air compressor runs two launchers. The launchers are made from PVC pipe. By regulating the air pressure in the compressor, I can manage how high the paper rockets fly. If I want, I can send the rockets so high that they become very difficult to see. I've designed several variations of the paper rocket template and finally have one that works well - it uses one sheet of "cardstock" paper. Rockets can be launched over and over. You get to keep the rocket you make. Kids and adults love making and launching rockets!

I volunteer at my local Makerspace and in my volunteer work I go out to elementary, middle, and high schools to lead hands-on STEM education learning experiences. One of my favorite experiences to lead is the paper rocket make & launch experience. During the rocket building process, students write down their dreams/goals/aspirations on the fuselage of the paper rocket. We have a discussion about the value of dreams/goals/aspirations. I ask if anyone would like to share the goals they've written on their rocket. Then we go outside to launch our rockets (aka launch our dreams/goals/aspirations). After everyone has launched their rockets multiple tiimes (and chased them down), I ask for two volunteers - - one that is willing to allow me to remove the tail fins of their rocket and the other volunteer to allow me to remove the nose cone of their rocket. Then I ask the students which rocket they think will fly farthest / highest. Is it the rocket with no nose cone or the rocket with no tail fin. 99% of the time the students tell me the rocket with the nose cone (and no tail fins) will fly furthest. Then I launch them side-by-side and we quickly see which rocket flies furthest. It is the rocket with tail fins (and NO nose cone) that flies furthest. Then I ask the students if they've ever met someone who, metaphorically speaking, removes the tail fins from their dreams/goals/aspirations. The students ALWAYS say "yes!" Then I ask "What does it sound like when someone is a tail fin remover?" Students say things like "You'll never be able to do that" and "You're really bad at that". Then I ask "Have you ever met someone who ADDS tail fins to your dreams/goals/aspirations"? And, not surprisiingly, the students say "yes!" and I ask "What kinds of things does that person say?" And the students say things like "You can do it!" and "Don't give up!" and "I'll help you!" And then I encourage the students to find ways to be like the people who add tail fins to the dreams/goals/aspirations of others. It is such a powerful lesson for the students. I've led this same actvity with several adult groups (including teachers) and they love it.