Unit One: The Design Process

NAVIGATE TO:

Mini-Course: How To Teach Rocketry

OR MOVE ON TO:

Unit Two: Application of The Design Process

OBJECTIVE: I am going to teach you how to use the design process to introduce Rocketry to your class.

CONNECTION: Connecting prior knowledge to new content.

For Example: The unit is introduced (simply, with little direction intentionally) by showing a balloon, and stating that it is an example of the worst rocket, blow it up and let it go. Discuss why it’s a rocket and why it might be the worst rocket.

The list may look like this:

                    Why the balloon is a rocket	                                   Why the balloon is not a good rocket
                    It uses air pressure to go	                                           Has no control
                    It goes up and then comes down                                        Not aerodynamic

DESIGN CHALLENGE: How Can We Build a Better Rocket That Will Launch The Highest?

CONSTRAINTS:

Launchpad
Size of the bottle
Air pressure (90 pounds psi)

Please watch: PBS KIDS Design Squad Nation Packaging Engineer video

Note: This video illustrates how an engineer collaborates with her team and uses an inspiration board to collect ideas.

Over the next few days, we will start to introduce materials to be used for the rocket design.

Sir Isaac Newton Research Project

References and Resources

Isaac Newton Resources to support student research:

Click this resource to see more interesting ways to research Isaac Newton with your students Isaac Newton Resources

PBS has created a treasure trove with their Design Squad television show and website. Take the time to watch a few episodes of Design Squad Nation to grasp how brilliant they really are! These young engineers will lead your students through the design process as they take on real challenges and collaborate to meet project deadlines.

Packaging Engineer on Design Squad

Full Rocketry Unit Plan For Teachers By Caroleann Del Juidice