1 of 13

The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Newton’s Rockets

2 of 13

Newton’s Rockets

A 7th grade STEM lesson

Elliot Hall

12/01/2023

3 of 13

Notes for teachers

  • Ideal location for the activity is outside as some rockets may not go straight up.
  • Basins allow for water capture instead of creating a mess in your classroom. If outside they are unnecessary.

​

List of Materials

  • Film Canisters
  • Antacid Tablets
  • Basins

4 of 13

Standards

7.P3U1.4

Use non-algebraic mathematics and computational thinking to explain Newton’s laws of motion.

​

7.P2U1.2

Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

  • ​
  • ​

Standards

7.SL.2: Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, and orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study

7.SL.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, appropriate vocabulary, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

5 of 13

Objective(s):

Explore Newton’s three laws and how they apply to launching rockets.

6 of 13

Agenda (lesson time)

Total Time = 45 minutes

Intro - Driving Question 5 mins

Activity - Pop Rockets 30 mins

Assessment / Discussion - 10 mins

7 of 13

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

​

​

What forces are acting on the rocket at different stages in the launch cycle?

8 of 13

Hands-on Activity Instructions: Pop Rockets

  • Group Structure: Pairs

​

  • Ideally done outside
  • Aluminium basin
  • Step 1: Add water
  • Step 2: Drop Tablet in
  • Step 3: Put lid on quickly
  • Step 4: Flip over in basin
  • Step 5: Observe what happens
  • Step 6: Record data (height, observations)
  • Step 7: Repeat steps 1-6 but with more tablets and different size containers.

​

​

​

9 of 13

Pop rocket questions

  • What did you observe or notice?
  • Why does the lid have a rubber ring on it?
  • What question do you have about the pop rockets?

10 of 13

Newton’s Laws of Motion

11 of 13

Assessment

Explain what is happening in each of the following pictures or what is going to happen. Utilize your learning and observations from today’s lesson.

12 of 13

Differentiation

For students struggling with the assignment teachers can provide:

  • Small group assistance, along with another demonstration with step by step directions.
  • Sentence stems/fill in the blanks for each student.
  • Guided notes for video

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students that understand the concept may be able to modify the canister to make them more aerodynamic and try and launch them additional times attaining new data. They can compete against each other for height and distance. Recording changes and outcomes to determine what causes the greatest positive change in the design.

13 of 13