Digital Option Available
Want to skip the paper? Use the Rocket Launch Data App — a web app that works offline on tablets and phones. Kids record data digitally, it syncs across stations, and generates graphs automatically.
How It Works
Each student gets a Student Launch Log to track their rocket design and launch parameters. Three measurement stations (altitude, distance, time) are staffed by rotating pairs of students — an observer who operates the instrument and a recorder who writes down the data.
After launching, students bring their sheet to each station to get results filled in. The Master Log gives the instructor a consolidated view of all launches.
Rocket ID System
Pre-assign each student a short ID (3–4 characters, e.g. A1, B12, R07) before handing out sheets. This ID links student sheets to station sheets. Write the ID on the student's sheet AND on their rocket before launching.
Student Launch Log
1 per studentEach student's personal record of their rocket and launches. Prints portrait.
- Rocket ID, name, grade, class
- Rocket design sketch + specs (fins, nose cone, length, weight)
- Launch data table (10 rows) — angle, PSI, wind (optional), plus results from each station
- Notes section for observations
Before the event: Pre-fill the Rocket ID on each sheet.
Open Printable Sheet →Altitude Station
Print multiple pagesRecords the angle from an altitude tracker and calculated height. Prints landscape, 25 rows per page.
- Rocket ID, launch #, time of day
- Raw tracker angle + calculated height
- Observer (operates tracker) and recorder (writes data) — kids rotate each launch
- Station layout sketch with distance to launcher
Setup: Measure and record the distance from this station to the launch line. Height = distance × tan(angle).
Open Printable Sheet →Distance Station
Print multiple pagesRecords how far the rocket traveled from the launcher to the landing spot. Prints landscape, 25 rows per page.
- Rocket ID, launch #, time of day
- Distance measurement
- Observer (measures) and recorder (writes data) — kids rotate each launch
- Station layout sketch with measurement reference point
Setup: Decide whether you're measuring from the launcher or from a baseline. Note the method (tape measure, wheel, pacing, etc.).
Open Printable Sheet →Time Station
Print multiple pagesRecords flight time — time up (launch to peak) and time down (peak to landing). Prints landscape, 25 rows per page.
- Rocket ID, launch #, time of day
- Time up, time down, and total flight time
- Observer (operates stopwatch) and recorder (writes data) — kids rotate each launch
- Station layout sketch with distance to launcher
Setup: Use a stopwatch with lap/split function. Start at launch, split at peak, stop at landing.
Open Printable Sheet →Master Launch Log
Instructor useConsolidated view of all launches for the instructor. Prints landscape, 40 rows per page.
- Rocket ID, launch #, student name
- Setup data (angle, PSI) and all results (height, distance, time up, time down)
- School, class/period, teacher, date
Usage: Fill in after the event by consolidating student sheets and station sheets. Or use as a live log if you have a dedicated helper.
Open Printable Sheet →Print Checklist (60 students)
| Sheet | Copies | Orientation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Launch Log | 60 | Portrait | Pre-fill Rocket IDs |
| Altitude Station | 8–12 pages | Landscape | 25 rows/page |
| Distance Station | 8–12 pages | Landscape | 25 rows/page |
| Time Station | 8–12 pages | Landscape | 25 rows/page |
| Master Log | 4–8 pages | Landscape | 40 rows/page |
After the Event: Data Collection
- Collect all sheets — student sheets, station sheets, and master log
- Photograph each page — phone camera, good lighting, flat on a table
- Feed photos to AI — use Claude or similar with the prompt: "Extract all handwritten data from this rocket launch worksheet into CSV format"
- Join on Rocket ID + Launch # — student sheets have the complete picture; station sheets are backup/cross-reference
- Analyze — import CSV into a spreadsheet for graphs, averages, and class comparisons