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 Practical, Hands-on 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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