Homemade Rocket Fuel — Science Fair Project

Function: To create cheaper and more effective fuel for rockets.

Inspiration: I wanted to find a more sustainable alternative to the current models, which are hard to ship and difficult to procure in many countries

Methods: Ordering chemicals online, via Amazon or other sources, heating them up and melting them down until I ended up with a solid fuel mixture that I could add to cardboard tubes (the rocket engine casings).

Outcome: Massive success; the project took me to the California Science and Engineering Fair when I was in 8th grade. Project received an honorable mention for physical chemistry.

Failures and Challenges: this project was a series of trial and error experiments. With each trial I learned and applied that knowledge to future trials. This was a really fun project for me.