Here
is an example of how a rocketry course
might be taught to Year 5 through 8 classes
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To Bring the Concepts in Science
and Mathematics to Life Through the Experience of Building and Launching a Model
Rocket
Lesson
1 - One Day
Aerodynamic Forces - What They Are
and What They Do
Students Can:
- Recognize the four basic forces
operating in any object moving through air
- Describe and demonstrate the
effects of relative wind and lift on objects moving through the air
- Describe and demonstrate the
effects of drag and gravity on objects moving through the air
- Describe and compare friction
drag and pressure drag
- Recognise and use vocabulary
related to rocket flight
- Apply what they have learned
to the construction of a model rocket.
- Record experiences and ideas
in a project book
Lesson
2 - One Day
Newton's Laws of Motion: How they
Govern the Movement of Objects
Students Can:
- Recognize Newton's Laws of
Motion which govern the movement of all objects on Earth and in space
- Describe and demonstrate the
effects of the three Laws of Motion on moving objects
- Recognise and use vocabulary
related to rocket flight
- Record experiences and ideas
in a project book
Lesson
3 - One Day
Introducing Model Rockets - How Rockets
Are Constructed. The Effects of Aerodynamic Forces.
Students Can:
- Identify the parts and functions
of a model rocket
- Describe the phases of a model
rocket flight and relate each phase to aerodynamic forces at work
- Recognise and use vocabulary
related to rocket flight
- Demonstrate the ability to
read and follow directions
Lesson
4 - One Day
The Laws of Motion - Putting Them
Together with Model Rockets
Students will be able to:
- Describe the relationship
of the Laws of Motion to (model) rocket engines and to the flight sequence
of a model rocket
- Describe the construction
of a solid propellant engine
- Recognise the relationship
of rockets and the first law of motion to satellite orbits
- Recognise the importance of
careful craftsmanship in constructing a flying model
- Recognise and use the vocabulary
Lesson
5 - Two Days
Planet Earth and Beyond
Students will be able to:
- Discuss key achievements in
the exploration of the Cosmos.
- Identify current space exploration
goals.
- Recognise the contribution
and role of rocketry in achieving space exploration goals.
- Identify the contribution
of satellite technology to social studies and in other scientific achievements.
- Discuss the future of space
exploration and future methods of transportation through the Cosmos.
Lesson
6 - One or Two Days
Model Rocket Safety - Safe Recovery
and Safe Procedures
Students will be able to:
- Identify several types of
recovery (drag) systems and choose the one best suited for his/her own rocket
type
- Evaluate and demonstrate proper
safety procedures based on the Model Rocketry Safety Code
- Properly install the recovery
system in the rocket
- Evaluate various shapes and
determine which ones are aerodynamically effective.
Lesson
7 - One or Two Days
Preparing for Launching - How To
Track Your Rocket's Altitude
Students will be able to:
- Use an altitude measuring
device to determine the angular distance from the top of an object as preparation
for measuring the altitude of a rocket at apogee
- Use the data of angular distance,
baseline, and the tangent of an angle to determine the height of objects
- Use a mathematical formula
to calculate altitude
- Use a mathematical formula
to calculate average speed
- Use a computer to quantify
the forces acting on a rocket in flight, graph and use the data obtained to
predict the acceleration, velocity and altitude of a model rocket.
Lesson
8 - Two Days
Launching A Rocket - Keeping Track
Students will be able to:
- Participate appropriately
in the launching of each student's rocket.
- Demonstrate proper safety
procedure during a launch
- Record flight data on a class
chart and on an individual chart
- Demonstrate the ability to
track the rocket and measure the angle of distance, the flight duration and
the time to apogee.
- Construct mathematical formulas,
using the data collected to determine altitude and speed.
- Graph the data recorded by
measuring instruments against predicted values and analyse the reasons for
variances.
Ordering
Procedure
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