In this classroom activity pupils design and build a tentacle-like robotic arm that captures debris, represented by Lego pieces. Pupils then compare different sticky surfaces that will help to trap the debris and are given the opportunity to improve their designs based upon what they have learned.

Rockets are used to launch satellites, probes and even astronauts into space. A rocket launch is extremely impressive. Thousands of kilograms are burned in just a few minutes in order to provide the force that the rocket needs in order to overcome the gravity of the Earth. Rockets provide an exciting context to...