# Black Powder Rockets - Part 1: Lecture

Part of [Western WinterBlast 2026](https://www.westernpyro.org/events/winterblast/2026).

- When: Friday, February 13, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM MST
- Category: Seminar
- Where: Tent 1, Sara Park, Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Presenters: [John Steinberg MD](https://www.westernpyro.org/presenters/john-steinberg), [Kurt Medlin](https://www.westernpyro.org/presenters/kurt-medlin), [Leo and Silas Covarrubias](https://www.westernpyro.org/presenters/leo-and-silas-covarrubias)
- Beginner friendly; PIT Crew (all ages); PIT Crew (12+)

The goal of this presentation is for you come away with a practical understanding of the factors that control the performance of a traditional core burning black powder rocket so you can adjust and adapt the information to your tools and materials. Topics discussed include:

- Basic core burning black powder rocket design
- Some common rocket sizing conventions
- Commonly used materials
- Rocket tooling
- Mixing and adjusting black powder-based propellants
- Loading black powder rocket motors