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ORC Resource Number #3547
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Rocket Launch
Promising Practice
PROFESSIONAL COMMENTARY

In this promising practice lesson, students will explore design considerations of model rockets. They will consider how model rockets are similar to real rockets (in design and flight), as well as how they are different due to the constraints placed upon them such as size and intended user. In order for this to be a substantive lesson, it is important for students to be very specific in their thoughts and discussions.

The lesson is intended to reinforce the concept that every engineering design works within constraints that must be identified and taken into account. Constraints include absolute ones like physical laws and more flexible ones, such as economic and social. Students will be looking at these in the context of model rockets that are intended to be launched safely by individuals and retrieved for future use. (author/ts)

CAREER APPLICATION

The process of design often involves examining current design and improving upon it. While this lesson may, at first, seem basic to a Manufacturing or design student, the instructor may choose to begin with the model rocket and move into a new phase of design which improves on some aspect of flight, fuel efficiency, drag, draft, environment, materials, et. al. The aerodynamic principles are also applicable to the Transportation industry in the design, construction, and modification of cars. (dam)

OHIO STANDARDS
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Science Academic Content Standards
Physical Sciences
Science and Technology
Scientific Inquiry
NATIONAL STANDARDS
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National Science Education Standards
Science as Inquiry
Physical Science
Science and Technology
RESOURCE TYPE
Instructional Resource
PRACTICE LEVEL
Promising Practice
STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
Grades 9–12
CAREER FIELDS
Construction Technologies;
Engineering & Science Technologies;
Manufacturing Technologies;
Transportation Systems
TOPICS
Science --
Science and Technology;
Design Processes;
Design Problem/Solutions;
Science and Inquiry;
Physical Science;
Forces and Motion;
Newton's Laws of Motion;
FOUND IN
KEYWORDS
aerodynamics;
rockets;
flight;
design;
model;
observation
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science