In four group exercises, the students build three different rockets. The first is a simple paper rocket with a straw as propulsion into which they blow. The second is a more complex paper rocket with a water bottle as propulsion that is squeezed. The third is a rocket with chemical propulsion. Students launch their rockets while investigating which variables are relevant to flight distance and trajectory. In doing so, they develop a basic understanding of the characteristics and operation of rockets.
Fast Facts:
- Duration 1 -2 teaching units
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Material costs: low to medium (under 20 euros)
- Form of instruction: practical group work, explorative learning
Students learn:
- What a rocket is and why it rises upwards
- What stabilizes a rocket and the importance of the individual components
- That the flight distance of a rocket depends on the initial launch energy and the initial launch angle.
- That energy is needed to make objects move
- To develop and test your own ideas
- Interpret results from experiments and draw correct conclusions from them
- To develop own projects
Last check before launch!
The materials for this resource consist of a teacher section and a student section, which are available for download here. The materials include background information, lesson plans, and worksheets.
