The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Newton’s Rockets

Newton’s Rockets

Part 3

A 7th grade STEM lesson

Elliot Hall

4/18/2024

Notes for teachers

• Please see notes in the below section.

List of Materials

• Cart or table outside at launching site.
• Launching pads and controller 2 to 3 preferably
• Rocket engines
• Rocket wadding
• Rocket Igniters
• Rocket Plugs
• Altimeter
• Worksheet

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Newton’s Rockets Part 1

Newton’s Rockets Part 2

Newton’s Rockets Part 3

Newton’s Rockets Part 4

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Standards

7.P3U1.4

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

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Standards

STANDARD 7.0 APPLY PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

7.5 Document and present project results/outcomes as appropriate

Objectives:

• I can load the wadding, engines, igniters, and plugs into the rocket.
• I can launch rockets following the safety protocol.
• I can record observations of the rocket including the altitude reached.

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Agenda

Day 1

5 mins : Get rockets/worksheets

5 mins : Demonstrate how to load wadding, rocket engines and attach igniters/plugs.

5 mins : Explain observational worksheet / If tech is available have students record their launches to landing

30 mins Demonstrate how to connect igniters to Launch controller and their require distance. Along with procedure to launch safely. Appropriate rocket retrieval.

Commence Launches / recording

Day 2

5 mins : Get rockets/worksheets

35 mins : Finish launches

5 mins : return and put rockets away.

Make sure to have students wait to remove used engines until they have cooled down!

Have a trash can outside for students to drop used engines in otherwise your classroom/lab will smell horrible for the rest of the week.

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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You have built your rocket!

You are ready to witness Newton’s laws in action on your rocket!

Let’s go!

Hands-on

Activity

Instructions

Part 1

Hands-on

Activity

Instructions

Part 2

Assessment

Submit your worksheet as a picture to canvas.

Quick write is also possible - Listed below

Differentiation

• Small groups with teacher guidance
• Launching teacher assisted

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Students could work on a research project related to larger rockets and what's required to get licenses to buy bigger engines.

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