AskERIC Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan #:AELP-PHY0040

Rocket To Success

An AskERIC Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Pete Sandall

Endorsed by: Don Descy, Mankato State University

Date: October 28, 1996

Grade Level: 4 thru 6

Description: This lesson plan is a simple science experiment that students can use to understand Newton's complex theory of Action and Reaction.

Background Information: This activity can be used with students at all ability levels. This lesson teaches them the simple laws of action and reaction. Students will engage in the making of simple rockets. Rockets will be constructed out of ballons and string. Students will be divided into groups. They will undergo the task of constructing the rockets in their groups. The rockets then can be colored upon. Directions for the construction of the rockets will be supplied by the teacher as a handout. The whole class will then come together as a large group. The class will then hold their own rocket races.

Goal: The students will be able to enjoy rocket races

Objectives:

  1. The students will be able to construct their own rockets
  2. The students will be able to identify the steps of Newton's law of action and reaction.
Materials:
Balloons
string
straws
tape
markers
scissors

Procedure: Be sure that all groups have the same size balloons

     
  1. Students will be broken down into groups of 3-4
  2. Teacher will pass out direction sheet, on the construction of the rockets, to groups.
  3. Students will then construct their rockets
  4. The students will experiment with their rockets. Students will blow up their balloons to various sizes and watch how far their rockets travel.
  5. Students will record their various measurements.
  6. Students will then be able to determine that the amount of air in the balloon is relevant to the distance that the rocket travels.
  7. Students will then record all observations regarding their rockets.
  8. Students wiil then come together as a large group.
  9. The class rocket races will take place.
Assessment:
     
  1. Students wii discuss in large group their observations.
  2. Students will be able to relate observations to those of Newton's Law of Action and Reaction.
  3. Students will brainstorm as a class as to other objects that utilize the concepts of Newtons law.

This activity has been copied, with permission, from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) server to ours, to allow faster access from our website. We encourage you to explore the original site.

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