Rockets and Space Exploration for Space Week
Third Class
Day 1: Introduction to Rockets and Space
Learning Outcome: To provide an overview of rockets and their role in space exploration.
Activity: Discussion: Begin with a discussion about what students know about rockets and space. Use visual aids like pictures and videos of rockets and space missions.
Story Time: Read a storybook about space exploration, such as “Roaring Rockets” by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker.
Video: Show a short educational video about how rockets work and their importance in space exploration.
Day 2: Forces and Motion
Learning Outcome: To understand the basic forces involved in launching a rocket.
Activity: Interactive Lesson: Explain the concepts of thrust, gravity, and aerodynamics using simple terms and demonstrations.
Experiment: Conduct a balloon rocket experiment. I will attach a balloon to a straw on a string and release the air to demonstrate thrust and motion.
Worksheet: The students will complete a worksheet with simple questions about the forces they observed.
Day 3: Rocket Design
Learning Outcome: To learn about the different parts of a rocket and design their own.
Activity: Discussion: Discuss the main parts of a rocket
Design Activity: I will give the children paper, pencils, and crayons to design their own rockets. I will ask the children to include details about the parts of their rockets.
Share and Discuss: The students share their designs with the class and explain their choices.
Day 4: Building and Launching Rockets
Learning Outcome: To build and launch simple rockets and observe their flight.
Activity: Building Rockets: Provide materials such as paper, tape, straws, and plastic bottles for students to build their own rockets. They can use their designs from the previous day as a guide.
Launch Activity: Take the students outside to launch their rockets. Use a simple launch pad or a safe area where they can launch their paper rockets by blowing through straws or using the pressure from plastic bottles. Observation: Have students observe the flight of their rockets and note how different designs and forces affect the flight.
Day 5: Rocket Relay Race: I will organise a fun relay race where students have to launch their rockets at different stations. Conclusion Discussion: Discuss what the students learned about rockets and space exploration throughout the week. Ask questions like “What was your favourite part?” and “What did you find most interesting?”