Rocketry

Rockets are cool.  Very cool.

Part 1: October Sky Movie

While you are watching "October Sky", fill in the October Sky worksheet.  

Alternatively, if directed, take notes in your journal on things you learn related to forces, mass and motion.  Include at least three things in each column for each of the two days we watch the movie.

Movie Pause Points for watching over 4 days:

Day 1: 

• 11:45 to debrief questions 1 and 2

• 34:37 for question 3

• End day 1 ~40:30

Day 2

• End day 2 ~56:00

Day 3

• 57:40-58:00 for question 4

• 1:20:00 for questions 5 and 6

• End day 3 at ~1:25

Day 4

• 1:30 for questions 7 and 8

Movie Pause Points for watching over 2-3 days

Day 1: 24:32, 34:50 and/or 36:50, 

Day 2: 57:00 and/or 1:00:05

Day 2: 1:20:00, 1:30

See the sample completed October Sky assignment page here that can be used for debriefing answers with class.

Part 2: Stomp Rocket Investigation

Read the Forces and Rocketry Book (page 15).

Day 1: Complete page 1 of the Stomp Rockets assignment sheet.

Day 2: Complete the entire Stomp Rockets assignment sheet.  For help, use the "Scientific Inquiry" page (also in student journals).

Instructions for adding a trendline and line equation to an XY Scatter Graph:

1. Use a ruler to draw a line that is the best fit among the points.

2. Extend the line through the y-axis to get the y-intercept (b) value.

3. Count up (or down) in the y-direction and then right in the x-direction to get a rise/run slope (m) value.

4. Write out your equation in slope-intercept form as y=mx+b. [Sample Here]

Write about the trendline in your conclusion.  A trendline is an excellent way to cover the 3rd point of a conclusion (cite more evidence - compare or manipulate data).

Transfer your data and conclusion to your Scientific Conclusions - Term 4 Science Practice: Data Analysis project. The work from this assignment is graded in our term 4 science practice: data analysis. Individual assignments are in Google Classroom.

If you were absent, use the sample data to complete this assignment.

Please use our assignment ("on time") rubric to finish this project in a timely way:

4 - Start of class on the 2nd day working on project

3.5 - Middle of class on the 2nd day working on project

3 - End of class on the 2nd day working on project

2.8 - One school day late

2 - One week late

1 - Two or more weeks late

A note on the skill of timeliness:

• Job announcements like these for local jobs (that former PA students frequently get) come up all the time and are dependent on timeliness.  In April, 2018, 10 of the 12 job openings at PA School District and most of the jobs at Clallam County are listed as open until filled (OUF), meaning that the first application that meets expectations will be chosen.

There will be two class days devoted to this project, though most students will be able to finish in one or one-plus-homework. Students who finish early move on to making a frictionless game in Friction Part 2.

Part 3: Rocket (Balloon) Cars

Read page 31 in the Forces and Rocketry Book. Samples here and 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Follow the instructions on your Rocket Cars assignment page and below.

1. Do labeled side- and top-view sketches then test and record velocity. 

2. Do modified labeled side-/top-view sketches then test and record velocity.

3. Do your final test, XY scatter plot graph and analysis on your Rocket Cars page. 

Hints and Guidelines:

• Stay with your own group at your table and stay on task

• Choose wheel width wisely and put axle sticks in straws to reduce friction 

• Take care of supplies without wasting them; ask teacher for more supplies and help 

• Use heavy-duty scissors for a tool for cutting plastic, wood and cardboard

• Balloons stay in class - ask for them from the teacher when you're ready

• Clean-up: Restock bin w/tape, timer, scissors, balloon pump, calculator, & textbook 

• Day 1:  Label car w/period, table, & names and put in turn-in box or other safe place

• Day 2 clean-up: all re-useable materials organized in containers in front of room

See the sample completed Rocket Cars assignment page here that can be used for debriefing answers with class.

Part 4: Stomp Rocket Challenge

Goal: Build a rocket that goes the furthest when launched at a 45 degree angle.

Go over Stomp Rocket Challenge page, criteria for a successful flight, & past rockets.

Materials:

• Tape and scissors in bin (heavy-duty scissors available for cardboard/plastic)

• Launchers and impaler-saver cones in front of room

• Scratch paper, card stock, transparencies, & random materials at front table

Procedure:

1. Design your "First Flight" prototype (draw and label) on your sheet.

2. Build your First Flight as you wrote on the Stomp Rocket Challenge sheet.

3. Test your First Flight, record data, and complete that section of the sheet.

4. Debrief the First Flight then draw/label the "Modified Plan" on your sheet.

5. Day 2: Complete Modified Plan section of Stomp Rocket Challenge sheet.

6. Day 2: Build and test Modified Plan, and complete that section of the sheet.

Rules and Hints:

• Use supplies wisely (reduce waste, heavy scissors for cardboard/plastic).

• Use launchers to help measure and when needed to test rockets.

• Always use an impaler-saver when test-launching inside.

• Stay with your own group at your table, and stay on task.

Complete the Stomp Rocket Challenge assignment sheet.

This loosely follows pages 35-37 in the Forces and Rocketry Book.

See the sample completed Stomp Rocket Challenge assignment page here that can be used for debriefing answers with class.

Rocketry Extension 1: Water Bottle Rockets

Prepare for and lead the class in the Water Bottle Rockets assignment.

Rocketry Extension 2: Launch a Satellite Simulation

Complete and document your responses electronically for the Launching a Satellite simulation.