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Unit Two: Application of The Design Process

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OBJECTIVE: Applying the design process to the creation of an original rocket.


CONNECTION: Looking at nature and physics for inspiration and connecting it to the design thinking process.


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


Working through a design lens ensures that there is a lot of choice within the project. Use inspiration boards to design and construct a rocket made of 1-liter soda bottles, Styrofoam wings, and a nose cone. Nose cones can be handmade or 3D printed through Tinkercad. In this planning phase, work on your own or with a partner to plan using the design thinking process and construct a rocket. It may be a good idea to build two rockets for when you test launch. Plans may be drawn by hand or designed in Tinkercad or Google Drawing.


Research with Google and other Internet resources about Rocketry and Sir Issac Newton. Focus on the three Laws of Motion. Record and document all data in a Google Drive account. Take notes on Google Docs and share all findings with your chosen partner (if you have one.) You will create an inspiration board on poster board or can use Google Drawing.


HINT: Newton’s Laws of Motion apply to this project for many reasons beyond “what goes up must come down.”

Brainstorming Sample Design


Drawings of their rockets which will include:

  • Size
  • Shape
  • Nosecone
  • Number of wings
  • Wing placement


Use steps of the design process to plan for rocket building

  • Identify Problem: How can we build a rocket that will launch the highest?
  • Brainstorm: Think about solutions and come up with as many as possible.
  • Design: Choose the best and plan how it should be built.
  • Build: Plan should include: materials list, detailed drawing and data table
  • Test: Build and test – record results.
  • Evaluate: Redesign and test again.
  • Redesign: Compare results.
  • Share: Within the class or with colleagues.


References and Resources

  • NASA has a Digital Learning Network (DLN) that links teachers to NASA Scientists via Skype type lessons. We signed up for 10 Things About Rocketry and were literally blown away by the lesson, the visuals, the connections, the questions, the answers and the new thinking that grew out of that lesson.
  • David Kelley, founder of Stanford’s d.school and IDEO, wrote a book about capturing one’s Creative Confidence, and his TED Talk is a great precursor to the book. Both are great for a professional book club or in small excerpts for students. It’s an excellent way to frame a conversation on Design Thinking as students will see it’s relevance in the world beyond your classroom.


Full Rocketry Unit Plan For Teachers By Caroleann Del Juidice

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