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Force and Motion Straw Rockets

Details

Space: 
inside
Time: 
1-2 hours
Subject: 
Science
Grades: 
3rd Grade
Key Terms: 
force
constant
inches
yard
variables
Materials: 
2 straws
copies of rocket
Scissors
tape

Lesson Overview

Teacher Overview:

Essential Question: How do we get objects to move when they are in contact with each other?

Lesson: What is force? How do you know? What do you think you know? Record student ideas on a chart. Are there any special words, thoughts, or ideas that to keep in mind? Today students will be give two different sized straws and an outline of a rocket to cut out. Using the two straws, paper rocket, tape, how can students get the rockets to "fly"?  How will students know how far the rocket has traveled? What will the constant be? Remember to record and chart data.

Possible Challenges: 

Changing the weight of the paper - xerox paper vs. cardstock vs. wax paper

Adding weight - Where would students add weight? Nose? Tail? Wings?

Changing the shape of the rocket?

 

What do students conclude about force? What is one causes of force? How many wasys does force happen? Please explain based on evidence from the experiment. When are other times force has been seen in action?

 

3PS2.1

3PS2.4

 

Student Summary: 

Today we will be looking at a way to move an object when it is in contact with another object by investigating force. What do you think force is? Have you even seen force being used on an object? As you investigate force, your challenge is to get the rocket to move by using the two straws and I'll provide you with some tape. Start by cutting out the rocket, and then what is a way you can get the rocket to move? Use the measuring tape to know how far your rocket has flown, make some adjustments, and try again to go even farther. 

Lesson Phases

Plan

Explain your plan.
Description: 
Sketch a quick drawing to show the engineering design of your straws and how you'll tape them to the rocket.

Create

What is force?
Description: 
Cut out the rocket, add the straws and try to "fly" your rocket. Measure the distance the rocket traveled. Record your data.

Improve

What are the rocket variables?
Description: 
How can you make the rocket travel farther? Perhaps by changing the design of the straws or changing the design or weight of the rocket?

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