Activity Set: Rockets.
I would start with a discussion about rockets and their purpose, showing videos of rocket launches and space missions to capture their imagination. Next, I’d introduce a hands-on activity where students build their own simple rockets using straws, paper, and tape.
We’d begin by decorating paper tubes to resemble rockets, then attaching them to straws. Using another straw as a launcher, students could blow through it to propel their rockets, exploring the concept of thrust.
To deepen their understanding, we’d conduct experiments by changing variables like the length of the straw or the size of the paper rocket, and recording how these changes affect the rocket’s flight. This encourages scientific thinking and hypothesis testing.
Additionally, I’d integrate technology by using a basic rocket simulation app, allowing students to experiment with different designs and see the results on a screen. We’d discuss the outcomes and relate them to real-world rockets.
Finally, the students could keep a “Rocket Journal” to draw their designs, note their observations, and reflect on what they learned.
