Adventures in Rocket Science. EG-2007-12-179-MSFC

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Public Communications and Inquiries Management Office, NASA Headquarters Suite 1M32, Washington, DC 20546-0001. Tel: 202-358-0001; Fax: 202-358-3469; Web site: http://www.nasa.gov

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Teachers

Space Sciences; Informal Education; Clubs; Scientific Principles; Scientific Concepts; Safety; Science History; Glossaries; Engineering; Worksheets; Teaching Guides; Elementary School Science; Secondary School Science; Lesson Plans; Science Instruction; Science Activities; Hands on Science; Instructional Materials; Active Learning; Space Exploration; Aerospace Education; Design; Standards; Educational Resources; Student Projects; Public Agencies

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. 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. The guide includes an appendix with construction directions for various project activities, safety guidelines and a glossary of terms. Appended are: (1) Assembly Instructions; (2) Rocket Safety Code; (3) Rocket Principles; and (4) Rocketry Resource Materials. [This document was produced and funded through the NASA Explorer Institute (NEI) and is an expansion of the NASA guidebook "Rockets" by Deborah Shearer, Greg Vogt, and Carla Rosenberg.]

ERIC

2010

ED511735