There’s an old joke about teaching that goes, “it’s not rocket science” – except sometimes, it is! Fifth graders in Mr. Omvig’s class made “fizzing rockets,” to demonstrate how matter is made up of particles, and how those particles can transform – sometimes with explosive results! Such as when water and baking soda, or a product like effervescent antacid tablets, chemically react to form carbon dioxide. The rapid expansion of matter that occurs is the propellant force that launches the rockets.
