The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Let’s Have a Blast! Exploring Rocketry Pt 2

Let’s Have a Blast!

Exploring Rocketry Pt 2

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A 4th Grade STEM Lesson

La’Keithra Simpson

02/07/2024

Notes for Teachers

• This lesson will take place after students have learned specific vocabulary and background on rockets.
• Students should be able to use a ruler, protractor and/or measuring tape for measurements.
• A lesson on making predictions or hypotheses should have been introduced to the students.
• Students will be in table groups of 2-4.
• There will be 2 different group rotations.

Materials:

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• launcher:
• PVC pipe
• empty 2 liter bottle
• tape

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Rocket construction:

• paper
• tape
• scissors
• pencil

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Clear space in which to launch your "rockets," such as a large room, hallway or outdoor area with no wind.

Measuring tape (optional)

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Math Standards

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1 - Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec.

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Science Standards

NGSS 4-PS3-1 - Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

ELA Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1 - Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Science and Engineering Practices

• Specific Driving question

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• Ask questions based on careful observations of phenomena and information.

Objective(s): Lesson 2

Learning Target:

Objective: I can design, build, and launch a paper rocket that flies high into the air.

Success Criteria:

• I can carefully follow instructions to build my paper rocket.
• I can use the provided materials (paper, tape, and straw) effectively to construct my rocket.
• I can make sure my rocket is stable and won't fall apart easily.
• I can think about how the shape of my rocket might affect how it flies.
• I can successfully launch my paper rocket using the provided launcher.
• I can observe and describe how my paper rocket flies through the air.
• I can measure how far my paper rocket travels during the launch.
• I can make improvements to my paper rocket design to see if it can fly even farther.
• I can cooperate with my team members to build and launch the rocket.
• I can share with others what I learned about making a paper rocket fly high.

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Agenda (60-240 minutes over several class periods)

-Students will sketch a rocket and label its parts; using previously learned vocabulary. Students will measure BXH of rocket parts. (15 minutes)

-Students will revisit rocket building game on NASA website. (5 minutes)

-Whole group discussion on how to get a rocket to launch. Students will use ipads to research ways to launch a rocket at school. Whole group vote for which rocket models to make and launch. (20 minutes)

-Students will create models of rockets and one group will design launcher. (60-120 minutes)

-Students will launch rockets to determine which rockets will move the furthest. (45 minutes)

-Using Seesaw, students will write and record predictions of their rocket’s launch height.

Students will then record their actual height. Students will answer questions and write a summary about their rockets predictions and actual experiment. (15-20 minutes)

Students will vote via Google survey on the best rocket and the winner will receive a prize. (5 minutes)

Materials

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Launcher:

PVC pipe

empty 2 liter bottle

tape

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Rocket Construction:

paper

tape

scissors

pencil

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Clear space in which to launch your "rockets," such as a large room, hallway or outdoor area with no wind.

Measuring tape (optional)

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Intro

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How can we design and build an efficient paper rocket that travels the farthest distance when launched, considering the principles of aerodynamics and force?

How can we launch a rocket far into the air?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

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Constructing a rocket and launcher:

Students will gather materials and follow along with the steps from the video.

DIY Space: Stomp Rockets - Make the Rocket (Part 1)

Construction of rocket may take place over a course of days so that students are able to design their rocket as they would like.

Assessment Options

Assessment I

1. Labeling parts of a rocket

Assessment 2

Students engaging in group conversation to find ways to launch a rocket.

Assessment 3

1. Self-assessment
2. Written summary

Differentiation

• Students can create a small paper straw rocket.
• Teacher will model steps of using a ruler for measurement.
• Writing frame for summary.
• Students may verbally record predictions and findings via Seesaw.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Create or design another rocket using knowledge of previous rocket tests.

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• Students complete word problems involving rocket measurements.