Description
BUG BLAST LAUNCH LAB
Fizz! Pop! Fly!
Prepare for liftoff! The Bug Blast Launch Lab combines hands-on science with out-of-this-world fun as children launch their bugstronauts sky-high using fizz-powered rocket tubes.
Each kit includes:
- 10 reusable fizz rocket tubes
- 10 bug toppers 🐞
A young scientist launches the Pop–Fizz–Fly bug rocket — learning that science really is a blast with Scientific Sue!
- Vitamin C tablets (enough for 2 launches per child)
- Mission Control Launch Guide 🧾
- Bug Blast Mission Log
Big fun, big learning, and big wow factor!
You’ll Also Need:
- Clean water
- A towel or outdoor space
- Safety glasses (recommended)
Curriculum Links:
- KS2/3 Science: Forces and Motion
- KS2/3 Science: Reversible and Irreversible Changes
- Working Scientifically: Planning, Measuring, and Recording
🚀 Bugstronaut Launch Instructions
Pop – Fizz – Fly! Get Ready for Launch
Peel off the sticky backing from your Bugstronaut’s feet and stick them firmly onto the inside of the rocket lid.
Make sure your Bugstronaut is safely attached and ready for the ride!
💧 Add the Water
Pour one tablespoon (15 ml) of water into your rocket tube.
💡 This is your starting volume — you can experiment later to see how the amount of water affects your launch time and flight height.
Pop in the Tablet
Drop in one vitamin C tablet — this is your rocket’s fuel!
💭 This is a starting amount — you can experiment later to see how changing the amount of tablet affects the height and time to lift-off.
🫧 Fizz!
The tablet fizzes in the water, producing carbon dioxide gas (CO₂).
As the gas builds up, it increases pressure inside the closed tube.
Fly!
Quickly push the lid on tightly, keeping it pointed away from your face.
Place your rocket upright and step back (or hold it out at arm’s length).
Now wait for lift-off!
You won’t see the pressure building — but it’s happening inside the tube!
The time it takes for your Bugstronaut to blast off depends on:
1️⃣ How much carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) is being produced, and
2️⃣ How firmly you pushed the lid on.
When the pressure becomes too great… POP!
The lid flies off at speed, and your Bugstronaut blasts into the sky! 💨🚀
🫧 Did You Know?
Gas pushes outwards in all directions inside your rocket tube.
As the fizzing tablet creates more carbon dioxide, the gas takes up extra space and presses against the sides and lid.
When the pressure becomes stronger than the lid can hold, it escapes through the weakest point — sending your Bugstronaut flying! 🪐
Why Schools Love It
- Reusable & cost-effective → once you have the kit, it can travel class to class
- Perfect for STEM lessons, science clubs, and school events
- Includes full safety guidance and curriculum-linked science notes
Why Parties & Festivals Love It
- Make-and-take activity → each child decorates their rocket tube, launches their bugstronaut, and takes their kit home
- Brilliant for birthday parties, holiday clubs, and science festivals
- Exciting group launches
Bug Blast Launch Lab
Can you get the bug home?
Mission Briefing
Your bugstronaut is about to embark on a daring space mission — but first, we need to fuel the rocket! Add water and a fizz tablet to your rocket tube, snap the bug-topped lid into place… and wait.
Nothing seems to be happening at first, but inside the sealed tube, something incredible is going on. The tablet is fizzing away, releasing an invisible gas called carbon dioxide. As the gas builds up, the pressure rises higher… and higher… and HIGHER…
Suddenly — POP! WHOOSH! Your bug blasts skyward, ready to return home to its planet! Can you aim carefully enough to land your bug safely in its home planet bucket?
What’s Happening Inside the Tube?
The fizzing tablet contains citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. When they meet water, they react to make carbon dioxide gas. The gas has nowhere to escape, so it builds up inside the sealed rocket tube. When the pressure becomes too much, it forces the lid off — and your bugstronaut launches into orbit!
This thrilling moment is a perfect way to explore:
- Chemical reactions 🧪 (acids + bases → gas)
- Gas pressure 💨 (invisible forces at work)
- Rocket science 🚀 (Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction)
🚀 Bug Blast Launch Lab — Mission Safety Checklist 🐞
👓 Protect Your Eyes
- Wear safety glasses if you have them.
- No glasses? Swimming goggles, sunglasses, or other protective eyewear are perfect alternatives.
- If you already wear glasses, keep them on — they’ll help shield your eyes.
🖐️ Keep Hands Dry
- Dry hands only!
- Wet fingers can make the tablet start fizzing before you’re ready.
🚸 Safe Launch Zone
- Choose a big open space — a school hall, playground, or outdoors is best.
- Mark a safety line and make sure everyone stands behind it.
- Always point your rocket away from people, pets, walls, and windows.
📏 Rocket Holding & Aiming Rules
- Hold your rocket firmly and vertically for the first launch — this gives the most dramatic lift-off!
- For subsequent launches, you can experiment with different angles:
Which angles gives maximum range?
-
Around 45° usually gives the longest range.
-
- Never hold the rocket horizontally! As soon as the lid flies off, the water and tablet will shoot out too, creating a mess and a safety risk.
🏠 Special Advice for Indoor Launches
- Always test first: An adult should try one launch to check how high the lid flies.
- If the ceiling is too low for a vertical launch, all launches must be done at an angle — provided the room is long enough for safe distances.
- Make sure rockets are aimed away from people, furniture, lights, and windows.
⏱ The Waiting Game
- After adding water and snapping on the lid, hold steady — the fizzing reaction has started!
- You won’t see the gas building up, but that’s part of the suspense…
- Then suddenly: POP! WHOOSH! Your bugstronaut blasts away!
🧼 After the Launch
- Collect all lids and bugs after each blast-off — no bugstronauts left behind!
- Wipe up any spills to keep the launch zone safe and dry.
- Wash your hands after handling tablets and water.
🎨 Bugstronaut Craft Zone
Before your mission begins, it’s time to design your rocket!
Decorate your tube to turn it into your very own Bugstronaut Space Shuttle:
🪩 Option 1 – Sticker Design
Use stickers to decorate directly on the tube — add stars, planets, or your Bugstronaut’s name!
🖍️ Option 2 – Paper Wrap Design
- Draw your rocket design on a piece of paper.
- Add patterns, colours, and space symbols.
- Wrap it around your tube and glue or tape it in place.
💡 Science Tip:
Real rockets are decorated too! Engineers and astronauts add symbols, flags, and mission patches to show teamwork and identity.
👩🚀 Challenge:
Can you give your Bugstronaut rocket a mission name and logo?
Write it below or on your paper design!
✨ Sparks of imagination are at the heart of creativity!
– Scientific Sue
