Forces
Students will learn about rockets and how they work by building and launching their own simple rockets.
What you will need:
Balloons, Drinking straws, string & sellotape
Introduction to Rockets:
https://www.esa.int/kids/en/learn/Technology/Rockets/How_does_a_rocket_work
Using the ESA kids website encourage discussion, watch videos, break into pairs or groups for short discussion. Come back together as a class and use visuals (including smaller flashcards for up close inspection as well as slide show on the IWB)
Talk about the FORCE they need to pull away from gravity and launch towards space. Talk about the different parts and using the ‘parts’ element to move onto designing / making their own rockets later in the the theme.
The further their understanding of the forces element use your materials and make a class rocket. This always receives a cheer. Have children try to make it themselves using the material required. This playful learning experience can only consolidate learning and increase their understanding of rocket launching.
Discussion:
Whole class discussion about our rockets. Allow the children to decorate their rockets using different art materials. Talk about why? What? How? the air escaping from the balloon forces the rocket forward.
Have a rocket race and figure out why one was faster or went further?
Follow on lesson
Allow time for junk art rockets. Revise the parts of the rocket and let the children immerse themselves in this design and creative engineering element of our space theme.