Textbook Rocket Launch Today! April 18, 2015

From TRF, April 17 -

Textbook Rocket Launch - Space Center Houston Tomorrow

UpcyclingTextbooks.org threw out a design challenge for builders here to create launchable rockets made from old textbooks... in a week or less so that we could launch them at Space Center Houston's Earth Day Kick-Off on Saturday, April 18th... tomorrow.

Four builders here on TRF-- hcmbanjo, JumpJet, Babar, and Artapplewhite--accepted the challenge and delivered an incredible 13 textbook rockets of unique designs. Some of their builds can be seen on here in the Scratch Build forum.
For those of you Houston locals, we'd love to see you for for the event and the launch 3:00pm and possibly a launch at 1:00pm also.
Below is a bit of information abut what we're doing tomorrow and also a bit about Upcycling Textbooks.

A huge thanks to all our builders for their creative efforts and lightening speed turnaround to help us inspire change!

Rockets…Rockets…and more Rockets!
Upcycling Textbooks @ Space Center Houston Earth Day Kick-Off
Come see some though-provoking pieces crafted from… old college textbooks, including several textbook rocket ships, and a satellite! Then pick a favorite textbook piece, hop into our photo booth with your best pose and have your picture taken in front of some of NASA’s finest space images.

Check out a dozen experimental model rockets—built with discarded textbooks—including pinwheel rockets, a stealth rocket and a 1/100th scale Saturn 1B. And join us for a special launch as these one-of a kind “textbook rockets” spin and soar through the skies—some are predicted to blast several hundreds feet high.

Here's my submission -

It's called the "Speed Reader".
I know - a little plain compared to John Boren's textbook Saturn 1B!
The simpler design was a compromise. I only had a few days to put it together.
The first package I received from Upcycling Textbooks contained a scarf and a letter thanking Grandma for taking care of the grand kids. I got my textbooks four days after that!

From Upcycling Textbooks:
Upcycling Textbooks is a movement determined to advance education beyond textbooks, with more affordable, more environmentally friendly and more personalized learning tools.

If we can put a man on the moon, we can do better than textbooks. And we want something better. So, let’s use our creativity to spark innovation and fuel change. Let’s transform those old textbooks into something better and inspire people to see textbooks, learning tools and education in a new way.

What could you make from an old textbook to inspire change? A work of fine art? A top secret safe? A planter? A musical instrument? An iPad case? A solar oven? A rocket that actually blasts off?
Textbooks probably never really wanted to be textbooks. So, let’s set them free and help create change. Share your piece on UpcyclingTextbooks.org. Tweet pics @UpcyclingTexbooks. Tag pictures #UpcyclingTextbooks or #UpcyclingTxtbks.

Check out other thought-provoking upcycled textbooks in the Gallery and Blog on UpcyclingTextbooks.org. Join our challenges and join a community of people who want change.

Interesting Scratch Build Techniques

Eric (Eero Fluge on TRF) sent me some great video links with some different scratch build ideas.

From the Sonic Dad series is the first overview video - CLICK HERE

At 2:05, Check out the PVC coupler "screw-in" engine mount.
At 3:28, Check out the plastic champagne flute nose cone.





To see the Randomizer detailed build and launch - CLICK HERE
I'm going to have to make a trip to the Dollar Store and WalMart!