In NASA's "Foam Rocket" activity, students build rubber-band-powered rockets and launch them at various angles to learn about rocket stability and trajectory. This lesson provides students with an excellent hands-on perspective on key mathematical concepts as well as data analysis and reasoning.
STANDARDS TAUGHT:
Unifying Concepts and Processes Science as Inquiry Physical Science Science and Technology Number and Operations Algebra Geometry Measurement Data Analysis and Probability Reasoning and Proof Communication Connections MATERIALS:
-- A 30 centimeter-long piece of polyethylene foam pipe insulation (for 1/2-inch size pipe) -- Rubber band (size 64)-- Styrofoam food tray (or paper plate)-- Three 8-inch plastic cable wraps -- 75 centimeters of ordinary string -- Scissors -- Masking tape -- Meter stick -- Press tack -- Washer or nut -- Quadrant plans printed on card stock -- Experiment data sheet -- Launch record sheet > Video: How to Build a Foam RocketACTIVITY:
After students construct their foam rockets, it will be time for liftoff. This part of the activity should be conducted in a large room with a high ceiling or outside, if it's a calm day. Using the meter stick, quadrant plans, experiment data sheet and launch record sheet (
all found in the activity PDF), students will launch their rockets at various angles and compare the distances traveled.
> "Foam Rocket" (PDF of activity and materials)
Students launch their foam rockets at various angles to study rocket stability and trajectory while getting a hands-on perspective on key mathematical concepts. See video: How to Build and Launch a Foam Rocket
Build and Launch a Foam Rocket
