Adventures in Rocket Science

The excitement and thrill from experiencing the launch of rocket-powered vehicles ignites engagement and imagination in children as well as adults. Constructing and launching model rockets certainly provided a charge of excitement among a group of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and higher education professionals as they planned an Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) sponsored K-12 rocketry curriculum and mentor/coach workshop. This guide was prepared as...
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The excitement and thrill from experiencing the launch of rocket-powered vehicles ignites engagement and imagination in children as well as adults. Constructing and launching model rockets certainly provided a charge of excitement among a group of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and higher education professionals as they planned an Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) sponsored K-12 rocketry curriculum and mentor/coach workshop. This guide was prepared as a tool useful for informal education venues (4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.), science clubs and related programs, and can be adopted for formal education settings. An exciting and productive study in rocket science can be implemented using the selected activities for the above-mentioned settings. The guide's activities can be correlated to meet formal education's core curriculum objectives or used for ancillary enrichment and extension activities. The series of activities in this guide require basic, inexpensive materials. They demonstrate fundamental principles of rocket science. The activities were selected and organized around the target concepts of altitude, velocity and acceleration (i.e., height, distance and speed). The Adventures in Rocket Science Activity Matrix on page v organizes the activities by suggested grade level bands as well as target concepts. Examine the matrix for a grade level band (e.g., grades 1-3). Select a target word located in that grade level band (e.g., velocity). The activity, "Move It!" will address the concept of velocity. Activities are included within each grade level band to address the three target concepts. Some activities can be used to address multiple target words. The length of time for each activity is approximately one or two hours with the exception of the Project Enterprise activity which can take up to two weeks to complete. The guide includes a compilation of NASA- developed and originally developed activities that emphasize hands-on involvement, prediction, data collection and interpretation, teamwork, and problem solving. Project background and an edited, student-friendly version of The History of Rocketry is included.