Rocket Film Canisters

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Film canisters are not always easy to procure, but here at Educational Innovations we're proud to offer canisters in bulk! Finally, an easy and inexpensive way to bring these little containers into your classroom. These canisters are dry and clean, perfect for any of the following uses:

Students of All Ages
Film canisters make great storing devices. Use these canisters for liquid or solid samples. For a hands-on homework assignment, distribute the canisters and have your students collect water samples from a local river or pond. These canisters will seal tightly enough to prevent spilling, but will open easily again for classroom use. Equip your students with a microscope, and they'll be amazed to observe all the microscopic life in their water samples.

Sensory Exploration
Explore sensory perception by using film canisters to store interesting smells. Soak a cotton ball in a strongly smelling liquid, like vanilla extract or vinegar, and place it in a canister. The tightly sealing lids will prevent the odors from leaking out until the canister is opened. Very young students will be interested in identifying the unknown smells. With older students, you can discuss diffusion in air. Open a canister at the front of a classroom and ask students to raise their hands when they can smell the liquid of your choice. Have your students make observations on who raises their hands first and last. This will demonstrate how quickly different smells spread from their origin (the film canister) out into the air.

Film Canister Rockets
Your students will be thrilled to make their own rockets! First, have students create the rocket by rolling construction paper into a tube that fits tightly around the base of a film canister. Make sure that the open end of the film canister is accessible at the base of the rocket. Tape the construction paper in place. Add a nose cone by cutting out a circle of construction paper, cutting a slit from the edge to the center, and twisting the paper to make a cone. Tape the nose cone to the end of the rocket opposite the film canister. Students can add 'tail fins' to the rocket as long as they do not block access to the film canister.

Baking soda and vinegar or alka-seltzer tablets and water can power these rockets. First, holding the rocket upside down, place the liquid fuel inside the film canister. Quickly add the solid fuel, cap the film canister, place the rocket right side up on a flat surface, and BACK AWAY. After adding the solid fuel, everything must be done rapidly or the rocket will not launch. Adult assistance may be required for this step. To delay the launch by a few seconds, try wrapping the solid fuel in 1-2 sheets of tissue paper. CAUTION: launching rockets may be dangerous. Make sure all students wear safety glasses and are clear of the launch area before mixing fuels.

Advanced Science
For even more fun with film canisters, try Educational Innovations' Piezo Popper Kits (HS- 2A). Using a few drops of an alcohol (perfume will work) for fuel, these amazing poppers will launch over 20 feet! The amazing piezoelectric device generates a spark of a few thousand volts at the touch of a button. It can be used as a safety lesson to demonstrate the flammability of alcohol or perfume. Safety glasses and adult supervision required.