Course Description
Students will conduct hands-on inquiry based learning with Estes Rocket kits provided by Heritage Intermediate. The students will build a water rocket using a two liter bottle and 2 Estes rocket kits ranging from “Ready to Fly kits” to “Level 2 advanced skills kits” that require precise measuring and gluing. Students will calculate flight altitudes using tables of tangents, angles, altitrak altitude finders and digital altimeters.
Objectives
- Making connections between theory and hands on applications in science, math and technology
- Understand all phases of rocket construction, launch and experiment development
- Develop fine motor skills
- Improvement of spatial relations and conceptual thinking
- An opportunity to demonstrate expertise and knowledge in front of peers and teacher
- Gain experience designing, conducting and reporting basic experimental investigations
- Enhancement of self image through successful accomplishments
- Improvement of cooperative skills in group activities
- Development of greater awareness for safety and attention to detail
Projects
-2 Liter plastic water bottle rocket design and launch
- Ready to fly, easy to assemble, level 1 and level 2 Rocket kits design and launch
- Measuring and calculating altitude
- Scientific Method investigation for fin placement and water/air ratio mixture
Instructional strategies
- Estes educator.com lesson resources
- Group builds along with peer support
- teacher builds same rocket with students to show them step by step instructions using document camera
Weekly Plans:
