This is an example of a lesson I would implement in my classroom to design and make a rocket.
Materials:
Plastic straws (for smaller rockets) or paper towel/toilet paper tubes (for larger rockets)
Balloons (for propulsion)
Tape
Scissors
Cardboard or construction paper (for fins and nose cones)
Markers, crayons, stickers (for decoration)
String (optional, for guided launch)
Rulers or measuring tape
Launch area (either inside a classroom or outside)
Target or measuring tape (to measure distance traveled)
1. Introduction to Rockets
Begin by asking students what they know about rockets. Discuss how rockets are used to explore space and the basic idea that rockets move by expelling gas (or air) out one end, which pushes the rocket in the opposite direction (show video clip).
Explain that today, they will be engineers and will design and build their own rockets using simple materials.
Introduce the key parts of a rocket: the body (main part of the rocket), fins (to stabilize the rocket), and nose cone (to reduce air resistance).
2. Rocket Design
Give students a brief overview of the materials they will use. Show them examples of simple rockets made from straws or tubes.
Discuss how the shape of the rocket and the placement of fins can affect how it flies.
Provide each student with an A4 page where they can sketch their rocket before building it. Encourage them to think about how they will make their rocket fly straight and how they can make it go farther.
3. Rocket Building
Have students build from their plans. Construct the rocket body, the fins and the nose. Then attach a balloon to the open straw or tube to act as the propulsion system. Allow students to decorate their rockets.
4. Rocket Launching
Choose a clear space for launching the rockets, either inside or outside.
Demonstrate how to inflate the balloon without letting any air escape and how to launch the rocket by releasing the balloon.
Let students take turns inflating their balloons, placing the rockets on the launch pad (or string guide), and releasing them to see how far they travel.
Encourage students to observe how their rockets fly and consider why some rockets go farther or straighter than others.
Use measuring tape to see how far each rocket traveled. Record the distances and discuss the results.
5. Discussion and Reflection
Group Reflection:
Gather the students to discuss what happened during the rocket launches. Ask questions like:
“What designs worked the best?”
“How did the fins and nose cone affect your rocket’s flight?”
“What would you change about your rocket to make it go farther or straighter?”
Reinforce the key concepts of propulsion, stability, and design. Explain that real rockets use similar principles but on a much larger scale.