I will be teaching First Class next year, so based on the advice shared by Frances in the start of this module, I hope to make balloon rockets with them.
- https://www.sfi.ie/site-files/primary-science/media/pdfs/col/rocket_launch.pdf
- https://www.sfi.ie/site-files/primary-science/media/pdfs/irish/col/roicead_a_theilgeadh.pdf
- SpaceWeek_2023_HeavyLifters.pdf
Engage:
Prompt: Firstly we will read some space-themed books, e.g.
- Seachain do Bhrístín
- Rita agus an tEachtrán
- Turas sa Spás (Céim ar Chéim 8)
- Anseo atá Muid
- Seachain: Na heitil chuig an ngealach ar an Apollo 13!
- Spluff Splaifeirtí agus an tIonradh ar an bPláinéad MARZ
and watch the video of the launch of Vega which was shared in this module. We will chat about ways of travelling into space, including rockets.
Wondering: We will then look at and chat about this cartoon: https://spark.iop.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/19%20-%20Marvin%20and%20Milo%20-%20Balloon%20Rocket%202019_0.pdf (translated to Gaeilge) and chat about how a balloon rocket might work.
Exploring: We will then explore a selection of balloon rockets and how they are launched.
Investigate:
Starter Question: The pupils will be encouraged to think of a starter question, e.g. will the amount of air in the balloon will make any difference to how fast the balloon rocket travels (faster or slower or no difference)
Predicting: Pupils will be asked to predict the result of the investigation
Conducting the Investigation: Pupils will create balloon rockets as outlined in the videos below:
They will complete a fair test on the question selected for investigation so only one variable will be changed: e.g. if we are testing whether the amount of air in the balloon will make any difference to how fast the balloon rocket travels, the type and size of balloons used, the type and length of straws used, the type and lengths of string used, the amount of tape used, the type of clothes pegs used, will all remain constant.
Sharing/ Interpreting the Data/Results: The children will measure the time the balloons take to travel from one end of the string to the other and record this.
Take the Next Step:
Applying Learning: We will discuss how the air coming out of the back of the balloon pushes the balloon forward and this is how rockets work – the hot burning gases rushing out the back of the rockets push them forwards, so they need enough fuel to burn in order to move fast enough and far enough to travel into space. The pupils will then watch this short clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cy1iCyqKA to see how this concept could be developed further.
Making Connections: The children will learn about the first animals and people in space as part of history. The facts shared will be kept quite basic given that the pupils will be in First Class, but they will be shown footage of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon for the first time and watch this short video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHH_tJBRf70