Pasta Rockets: The Wildest STEM Demo Yet

What do pasta noodles have to do with rocket engines? More than you think—and this explosive hands-on demo will have your students begging for science class. Visit our Teacher Tips page for standards, lessons, and classroom activities. ✍️ https://s.si.edu/3OpLpj8 Be sure to check out the next video in this series: https://youtu.be/uE1KtJHJdUU Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos from Air and Space: https://s.si.edu/3rnWsfq Join Marty and Beth from the National Air and Space Museum’s On Air series as they guide you through building a real hybrid rocket engine using everyday materials (yes, including uncooked pasta!). You’ll learn how to turn chemical reactions into an unforgettable STEM lesson, discover essential safety tips, and pick up clever classroom-tested strategies from four amazing teachers who share their top rocket‑themed activities. Plus, explore connecting lessons on Robert Goddard, quirky early rocket designs, and a real rocket scientist’s inspiring career path. If you’re ready to spark curiosity, launch deeper learning, and engage your students like never before—this video is your next mission. 🚀 On Air is made possible by the generous support of Amazon, Boeing and Hexcel Corporation This video is part of a series of videos about rockets. Be sure to check out the other videos in this collection. 👾 What Happened at This Roswell Rocket Site? https://youtu.be/uE1KtJHJdUU 🚀 What’s Wrong With This Rocket? (Featuring Adam Savage) https://youtu.be/PkdLKFCBzw4 👩‍🚀 The Incredible Journey From Humble Roots to NASA https://youtu.be/WccKJKHDdEQ 🎥Credits🎞️ Featuring Marty Kelsey Beth Wilson Heather Moore Matt Cross Christine Paradise Production Team Mike Bowling Elizabeth Kollmar Loren Friesen Paul Griffith Jon Boyette Special Thanks Erika Novak Beth Crownover “On Air” is a free educational series for students produced by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. We cover all the cool, fun, and weird ways that aviation and spaceflight touch our lives. Visit the website to learn more: https://airandspace.si.edu/onair Interested in more teacher friendly, educational content? Subscribe to the National Air and Space Museum’s Teacher Newsletter: https://s.si.edu/NASMTeacherNews Be sure to follow “On Air” at: www.facebook.com/OnAirNASM and the National Air and Space Museum at: X: https://x.com/airandspace Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airandspace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airandspacemuseum Website: https://airandspace.si.edu/onair #Smithsonian #NationalAirandSpaceMuseum #NASM #LessonPlan #TeacherResources #Teacher #Lesson #AirAndSpace #STEM #STEAM #Classroom #NGSS #Standards #Captions #Captioned #STEMin30 #Education #MiddleSchool #OnAir #Museum #TeacherTips #Teachers #PastaRocket #Pasta #HybridRocketEngine #Rockets #RocketEngine #DadJokes 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Building Rocket Engines 03:28 Tips from Teachers 05:49 Additional Rocket Resources 06:53 Rocket Jokes