DOCUMENT RESUME ED .406 236 SE 060 116 AUTHOR Shearer, Deborah A.; Vogt, Gregory L. TITLE Rockets: A Teacher's Guide with Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology. Grades K-12. INSTITUTION Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.; National Aeronautics and. Space Administration, Washington, DC. Office of Human Resources and Education. REPORT NO EG-1996-09-108-HQ PUB DATE Sep 96 NOTE 131p. AVAILABLE FROM National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Education Division, Mail Code FE, Washington, DC 20546-0001. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher)(052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Data Collection; Data Interpretation; Demonstrations (Science); Educational Resources; Elementary Secondary Education; *Hands on Science; *Interdisciplinary Approach; Mathematics Education; Problem Solving; Science Activities; *Science Process Skills; *Space Sciences; Teaching Guides; Teamwork; Technology Education IDENTIFIERS *Rockets ABSTRACT This guide contains activities that emphasize hands-on involvement, prediction, data collection and interpretation, team...ork, and problem solving. It begins with background information on the history of rocketry, scientific principles, andpractical rocketry. Following the background sections are a series of activities that demonstrate the basic science of rocketry while offering challenging tasks in design. A brief background section within each activity elaborates on the concepts covered and points back to the introductory material in the guide. Information about where the activity applies to science and mathematics standards, assessment ideas, and extensions is also included. Because many of the activities and demonstrations apply to more than one subject area, a matrix chart is included that identifies opportunitiesfor extended learning experiences. This guide also contains a suggested reading list and a list of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) educational resources as well as electronic resources. (JRH) ********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** ft Educational Product NE14(MI Miumeore,,.;, Teachers Grades K-12 Sp aMtM(i1V,Mny cher's Guide with Activities in Science M hematics, and Technology f" 11111111. U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement UCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION trgCENTER (ERIC) ent has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy BEST COPYAVAILABLE 2 ROCKETS A Teacher's Guide with Activities In Science, Mathematics, and Technology National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Human Resources and Education Education Division Washington, DC Education Working Group NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas This publication is in the Public Domain and is not protected by copyright. Permission is not required for duplication. EG-1996-09-108-HQ September 1996 3 Acknowledgments This publication was developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with the assistance of hundreds of teachers in the Texas Region IV area and educators of the Aerospace Education Services Program, Oklahoma State University. Writers: Deborah A. Shearer Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Teaching From Space Program NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX Editor: Carla B. Rosenberg Teaching From Space Program NASA Headquarters Washington, DC Special Thanks to: Timothy J. Wickenheiser Chief, Advanced Mission Analysis Branch NASA Lewis Research Center Gordon W. Eskridge Aerospace Education Specialist Oklahoma State University Table of Contents How To Use This Guide 1 Activity Format 3 Brief History of Rockets 5 Rocket Principles 13 Practical Rocketry 18 Launch Vehicle Family Album 25 Activities 35 Activity Matrix 36 Pop Can Hero Engine 39 Rocket Racer 45 3-2-1 Pop! 53 Antacid Tablet Race 57 Paper Rockets 61 Newton Car 67 Balloon Staging 73 Rocket Transportation 76 Altitude Tracking 79 Bottle Rocket Launcher 87 Bottle Rocket 91 Project X-35 95 Additional Extensions 114 Glossary 115 NASA Educational Materials 116 Suggested Reading 116 Electronic Resources for Educators 117 NASA Educational Resources 118 NASA Teacher Resource Center Network 119 Evaluation Reply Card Insert ockets are the oldest form of self-contained How To Use This GuideRvehicles in existence. Early rockets were in use more than two thousand years ago. Over a long and exciting history, rockets have evolved from simple tubes filled with black powder into mighty vehicles capable of launching a spacecraft out into the galaxy. Few experiences can compare with the excitement and thrill of watching a rocket-powered vehicle, such as the Space Shuttle, thunder into space. Dreams of rocket flight to distant worlds fire the imagination of both children and adults. With some simple and inexpensive materials, you can mount an exciting and productive unit about rockets for children that incorporates science, mathematics, and technology education. The many activities contained in this teaching guide emphasize hands-on involvement, prediction, data collection and interpretation, teamwork, and problem solving. Furthermore, the guide contains background information about the history of rockets and basic rocket science to make you and your students "rocket scientists." The guide begins with background information on the history of rocketry, scientific principles, and practical rocketry. The sections on scientific principles and practical rocketry focus on Sir Isaac Newton's Three Laws of Motion. These laws explain why rockets work and how to make them more efficient. Following the background sections are a series of activities that demonstrate the basic science of rocketry while offering challenging tasks in design. Each activity employs basic and inexpensive materials. In each activity you will find construction diagrams, material and tool lists, and instructions. A brief background section within each activity elaborates on the concepts covered and points back to the introductory material in the guide. Also included is information about where the activity applies to science and mathematics standards, assessment ideas, and extensions. See page 3 for more details about how the activity pages are constructed. Because many of the activities and demonstrations apply to more than one subject area, a matrix chart identifies opportunities for extended learning experiences. The chart indicates these subject areas by activity title.In addition, many of the student activities encourage 6 Rockets: A Teacher's Guide with Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology EG-1996-09-108-HQ student problem-solving and cooperative your assistance in improving this guide in future learning. For example, students can use editions by completing the questionnaire and making problem-solving to come up with ways to improve suggestions for changes and additions. the performance of rocket cars. Cooperative learning is a necessity in the Altitude Tracking A Note on Measurement and Balloon Staging activities. The length of time involved for each In developing this guide, metric units of activity varies according to its degree of difficulty measurement were employed. In a few and the development level of the students. With exceptions, notably within the "Materials and the exception of the Project X-35 activity at the Tools" lists, English units have been listed. In the guide's end, students can complete most United States, metric-sized parts such as screws activities in one or two class periods. and wood stock are not as accessible as their Finally, the guide concludes with a glossary of English equivalents. Therefore, English units terms, suggested reading list, NASA educational have been used to facilitate obtaining required resources including electronic resources, and an materials. evaluation questionnaire. We would appreciate 7 2 Rockets: A Teacher's Guide with Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology EG-1996-09-108-HQ Activity Format Objectives of Teacher Information the Activity 3-2-1 POP! Description of What Assessment Ideas Obiective: To demonstrate how rocket liftoff la an application of Newton's Uwe of Motion. the Activity Does Description: Students construct a rocket powered by the pressure generated from en ellenreacing antacid tablet meting nth Film canisten ant available horn =mere Aesestamerd: water. shoed and Mores where photographic Ask students to explain how Newton', Laws proccosing take. place. Then tutneseee of Motion apply to this racket. Cavan, the recycle the canisters and are often MIling to rockets I0, akle In construction. Rockets that The moat common mistakes In constructing denote them for educational us*, Be sure to use excestrive paper and tape are ilk* to be Science Standards: less efficient mere because they cony Ptomical Scions ] Poonion and caw or dawn the rocket are: forgetting to tape the film obtain canietero with the Internal eroding ed. SCA470 810 TOVIMbay Ate.T.of tecnatgica, canister to the rocket body, falling to daunt' These are usually dentate:ant canisters. additional weight Undonttarosg toss acions one the canister meth the lid end down, and nnt Canistere with the external lid Rind wrap*