The Stomp Rocket lesson will introduce some rocket history to students, dating back to the 1st century AD. Students will build their own rocket and then go outside for launching.
- Please secure an open field or area for rocket launchers.
- Students need to be on an even, firm surface - either grass or pavement will work, pavement typically works better.
- Please make sure the area is away from cars, since wind may divert the students' rocket. (Most appropriate for grade levels 5-10.)
NOTE: Please have your students collect (empty and clean) 2-liter bottles.
(This lesson cannot be adjusted – launches must be done outdoors.)
Lesson Time: 70-80 minutes
Student Activity: Students will make their own rockets and attach them to a PVC pipe on our rocket launcher. They will attach their 2-liter bottle to the other end of the launcher, and test their force by stomping on the bottle and sending their rocket into the air.
Group work: Students will work on their own while building a rocket, but will launch in groups of 3-4 students. In order to save time, teachers are asked to create the groups before our Wizard arrives.
Science Standards:
4.PS.2: Energy can be transferred from one location to another or can be transformed from one form to another.
5.PS.1: The amount of change in movement of an object is based on the mass of the object and the amount of force exerted.
6.PS.3: There are two categories of energy: kinetic and potential.
6.PS.4: An object's motion can be described by its speed and the direction in which it is moving.
7.PS.3: Energy can be transformed or transferred but is never lost.
7.PS.4:Energy can be transferred through a variety of ways.
8.PS.2: Forces can act to change the motion of objects.
High School Standards:
P.F.1: Newton's laws applied to complex problems
P.F.5: Air resistance and drag.
PS.FM.2: Forces • Force diagrams • Types of forces (gravity, friction, normal, tension) • Field model for forces at a distance PS.FM.3: Dynamics (how forces affect motion) • Objects at rest • Objects moving with constant velocity • Accelerating objects.
PS.FM.3: Dynamics (how forces affect motion) • Objects at rest • Objects moving with constant velocity • Accelerating objects.