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Notes for teachers

This lesson is for a 5th grade science class. Students will build a straw rocket.

I got the straw rocket instructions from the NASA website: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-straw-rocket/

List of Materials

plastic straw
paper
pencil
ruler
scissors
tape
markers or colored pencils to decorate the rocket

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Standards

Science Standards

5.P2U1.3 Construct an explanation using evidence to demonstrate that objects can affect other objects even when they are not touching.

5.P3U1.4 Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.

5.P3U2.5 Define problems and design solutions pertaining to forces and motion.

Science and Engineering Practices

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions

Standards

Math Standards

5.MD.A.1 Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system, and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real-world problems. (students will measure how far their rocket flies and can convert that measurement to other units)

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Objectives:

Today you will build a straw rocket (and hopefully more than one!). When launching your rocket, you should think about the contact and non-contact forces that are acting on your rocket. You will also analyze the factors that affect the rocket’s flight.

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Agenda (60 minutes)

building straw rocket = approx. 20 minutes
measuring how far your rocket goes = approx. 10 minutes
building a 2nd rocket = approx. 20 minutes
writing in science notebooks = approx. 10 minutes

How can you build a straw rocket that will travel the greatest distance?

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

Have you ever seen a NASA or SpaceX rocket launch?

What are the forces, both contact and non-contact, that affect a rocket’s flight?

What factors impact how high or how far a rocket travels?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

To build your own straw rocket:

Cut out a rectangular piece of paper (about 5 inches by 2 inches).
Wrap the paper rectangle around a pencil and tape it into a cylindrical shape. Don’t tape the paper to the pencil though!
Cut out 4 fins and tape them to the paper cylinder (at 90 degree angles to each other).
Now, tape the end opposite the fins (the nose) into a pointed cone and then take the pencil out of your rocket.
Insert the straw into your rocket.
Be sure the nose is sealed with tape. Check this by blowing down the straw to see if any air escapes.
You can decorate your rocket if you wish.😊
To launch your rocket, blow into the straw!
Measure how far your rocket goes.
If you have time, make a rocket that is different (maybe the fins are different or the paper is thicker or the cylinder is wider or the nose cone is longer or…) and see if it goes farther than your first rocket.

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Assessment

Write a paragraph answering the following questions:

Which contact forces are acting on your rocket?
Which non-contact forces are acting on your rocket?
What adjustments did you make to your rocket to make it fly farther?
How far did your rocket travel in meters? centimeters? inches? yards?
What are the forces acting on a NASA or SpaceX rocket? How is that similar/different from the forces acting on your straw rocket?

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Differentiation

Students could work in pairs to help each other build their rocket or some students may need your help in building their rocket.

Write these words on the board for students to use in their science notebook: gravity, thrust, normal force, launch, and altitude.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Here are a couple of videos you could show to your class:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lti6a_YYQl0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI-HeXhsUIg

There are also a lot other fun rocket designs that you can try! https://www.science-sparks.com/5-easy-rockets-kids-can-make/

You could ask your students to make a graph comparing different characteristics of each rocket (size of fins, length of nose cone, length of body/fuselage, etc.) to how far each rocket travels.

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