"Blast Off: DIY Rocket Adventure!"

7th Grade Project 4 weeks

"Blast Off: DIY Rocket Adventure!"

ignacio z

MS-PS2-1

MA:Cr1.1.7

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

+ 1 more

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in a hands-on exploration of rocket design, applying Newton's Third Law and aerodynamics principles to create functional rockets. Through collaboration with aerospace professionals and iterative design processes, students will deepen their understanding of physics while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This project aims to foster a sense of identity and belonging as students connect scientific concepts with real-world applications, culminating in a community exhibition that celebrates their achievements.

Learning goals

Students will apply principles of aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law to design and build rockets that successfully launch and land safely. They will engage in critical thinking and problem-solving by iterating on their designs based on feedback from aerospace professionals and peer reflections. Through self-directed learning, students will document their design process in digital portfolios, showcasing their growth and understanding. Additionally, students will develop a sense of identity and belonging by connecting academic concepts with socio-emotional experiences during weekly reflection circles and community exhibitions.

Standards

[Next Generation Science Standards] MS-PS2-1 - Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
[Next Generation Science Standards] MS-PS2-1 - Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
[National Core Arts Standards] MA:Cr1.1.7 - Produce a variety of ideas and solutions for media artworks through application of chosen inventive processes, such as concept modeling and prototyping.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will create a series of educational videos documenting their rocket-building process, highlighting design challenges, solutions, and reflections. These videos will be shared with the school community and online platforms to showcase their learning journey. Additionally, students will develop digital portfolios that include sketches, calculations, and reflections, demonstrating their understanding and growth throughout the project.

Launch

Begin the project with a dynamic 'Rocket Design Challenge' where students work collaboratively in teams to brainstorm and sketch initial rocket designs. Provide a variety of materials for students to create quick prototypes, encouraging hands-on experimentation and creativity. Facilitate a lively discussion to explore the principles of aerodynamics and physics, setting the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their rockets during the 'Rocket Launch Day' event, inviting family, friends, and community members to witness the culmination of their project. Each team will present their rocket design, explain the engineering principles applied, and demonstrate the launch. Following the launch, a Q&A session with guest aerospace engineers will provide an opportunity for students to discuss their design choices and receive professional feedback. This event will also include viewing stations for the educational videos created by students, offering visitors insight into the entire rocket-building process.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can use feedback from my teacher and classmates to make changes to my rocket design and improve it I can reflect on what I learned and use that to plan my next steps in building my rocket	I can use feedback from my teacher and classmates to make changes to my rocket design and improve it I can reflect on my learning process and keep track of my progress in my digital portfolio, showing how my skills and understanding have grown	I can effectively use feedback from my teacher and peers to make improvements to my rocket design, showing my ability to learn independently I am able to reflect on my design process and make informed decisions about the materials and techniques that will enhance my rocket's performance, documenting these choices in my digital portfolio	I can confidently use feedback from my teacher, classmates, and aerospace professionals to improve my rocket design I actively track my progress and make adjustments to my plans, using my reflections and new insights to guide my learning journey I keep a detailed digital portfolio that shows how my understanding and skills have grown throughout the project
Deeper Learning Competencies	Academic Mindset	I am starting to see how the concepts we learn in class are connected to the real world, and I am beginning to feel more confident in sharing my ideas and asking questions	I can connect what I learn about aerodynamics and physics to my role in the team, showing how these ideas help us build a better rocket I can talk about how working with my team and sharing ideas makes our project stronger and helps us all feel like we belong	I can confidently explain how principles of aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law help my rocket launch and land safely I use feedback from my peers and aerospace professionals to make improvements and share my design with others during our Rocket Launch Day event I feel proud of my achievements and can see how my work connects to real-world applications	I can confidently explain how I applied Newton's Third Law and aerodynamics principles in my rocket design, and I can reflect on how these scientific concepts helped me solve real-world problems and connect with my community I can also describe how collaboration with my peers and feedback from aerospace professionals guided my learning journey and strengthened my sense of belonging and identity within the project
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can identify and explain the basic principles of aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law by observing how my rocket prototype behaves during test launches I can use feedback from my teammates and teachers to make simple adjustments to my design, improving its performance in small but noticeable ways	I can explain the basic principles of aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law that I used in my rocket design, and I can describe at least one way I improved my design after discussing it with my classmates or aerospace professionals	I can effectively use feedback from peers and aerospace professionals to refine my rocket design, showing a clear understanding of aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law I can explain my design choices and demonstrate my problem-solving skills by successfully launching and landing my rocket	I can confidently apply Newton's Third Law and aerodynamics principles to design and build a rocket that successfully launches and lands safely I can creatively solve design challenges by exploring and testing different approaches, using feedback from aerospace professionals and peers to refine my ideas My educational video and digital portfolio clearly document my design process, showcasing my ability to think critically and solve problems effectively

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch: Rocket Design Challenge - Students work in teams to brainstorm and sketch initial rocket designs using provided materials. Explore principles of aerodynamics and physics in a lively discussion. (45 min)	Introduction to Newton's Third Law - Investigate Newton's Third Law through hands-on activities and demonstrations, connecting the concept to rocket design principles. (20 min) Team Collaboration: Concept Modeling - Teams refine their rocket sketches, creating concept models and discussing design goals. Document initial ideas in digital portfolios. (25 min)	Guest Speaker Session: Aerospace Engineering Insights - Partner with a local aerospace engineer to discuss real-world rocket design challenges and offer feedback on student designs. (30 min) Reflection Circle - Facilitate a reflection circle where students share their insights from the guest speaker session and discuss their design progress. (15 min)	Prototype Building: Initial Construction - Students begin constructing their rocket prototypes using selected materials, applying aerodynamics principles. (30 min) Peer Feedback Exchange - Teams present their prototype designs to classmates for feedback, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. (15 min)	Wind Tunnel Experiments - Conduct wind tunnel experiments with small-scale models to observe effects of shape, size, and surface texture on air resistance and lift. (30 min) Portfolio Development: Documenting Design Process - Students update digital portfolios with sketches, findings from wind tunnel experiments, and reflections on prototype iterations. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Initial rocket design sketches and concept models created by each team. 2. Prototypes of rocket designs built collaboratively by student teams. 3. Entries in digital portfolios containing sketches, photos of prototypes, and initial reflections. 4. Notes and feedback from guest speaker sessions, documented in digital portfolios. 5. A list of questions and challenges generated by students during reflection circles, aimed at guiding future iterations.
Preparation	1. Gather various materials for prototype building, such as cardboard, plastic bottles, tape, scissors, straws, rubber bands, and glue. 2. Arrange for guest speakers from a local aerospace engineering firm to visit on Day 3. 3. Set up a collaborative workspace with tables for group work and materials storage. 4. Prepare a digital platform for students to create and maintain their digital portfolios. 5. Designate a space for weekly reflection circles, ensuring it's conducive to open discussion. 6. Organize access to online resources and videos about aerodynamics and Newton's Third Law. 7. Create a schedule for the week, outlining time slots for each activity.

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Activities	Rocket Design Iteration - Students review feedback from guest aerospace engineers and refine their rocket designs, focusing on improving structural elements and aerodynamics. (30 min) Newton's Third Law Exploration - Conduct a hands-on experiment demonstrating Newton's Third Law using small-scale models to understand the motion of colliding objects. (15 min)	Prototype Testing - Students conduct initial tests on their prototypes in a classroom wind tunnel, observing the effects of design changes on air resistance and lift. (25 min) Feedback Reflection - Students reflect on test results and feedback, discussing their insights and planning next steps in small groups. (20 min)	Material Selection Workshop - Explore different materials available for rocket construction and discuss their properties and how they affect performance. (25 min) Team Collaboration - Students work in teams to apply knowledge from the material workshop to select appropriate materials for their rockets. (20 min)	Digital Portfolio Development - Begin documenting the design process in digital portfolios, including sketches, calculations, and reflections. (20 min) Aerodynamics Principles Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the principles of aerodynamics observed during prototype testing, connecting them to real-world applications. (25 min)	Guest Speaker Session - Host a guest speaker from the local aerospace engineering firm to discuss real-world applications of rocket design and provide feedback on student projects. (30 min) Weekly Reflection Circle - Students participate in a reflection circle to share their progress, challenges, and insights gained, while connecting academic concepts with socio-emotional experiences. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed initial rocket prototype designs with sketches and annotations. 2. Documented reflections in digital portfolios, including feedback received and design iterations. 3. Wind tunnel experiment results for small-scale models, analyzing the impact of shape, size, and surface texture. 4. Recorded feedback sessions with aerospace engineers, highlighting key advice and areas for improvement. 5. Weekly reflection summary highlighting individual student insights and collective learning experiences.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for prototype building, including cardboard, plastic tubes, tape, scissors, and markers. 2. Coordinate with the local aerospace engineering firm to schedule guest speakers and prepare feedback sessions. 3. Set up digital portfolio platforms for students to document their design process, sketches, and reflections. 4. Prepare wind tunnel experiment stations with small-scale models for students to test aerodynamics principles. 5. Create a reflection circle agenda to facilitate student discussions on progress, challenges, and insights.

Week 3	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15
Activities	Advanced Prototype Construction - Students refine their rocket designs based on wind tunnel experiment data and feedback from aerospace engineers, focusing on enhancing aerodynamic properties. (30 min) Reflection Circle: Design Challenges - Facilitate a discussion where students share their construction challenges and brainstorm solutions with peers. (15 min)	Newton's Third Law in Action - Conduct experiments demonstrating Newton's Third Law with simple rocket models, observing how motion changes upon collision. (25 min) Portfolio Development: Newton's Third Law - Students update digital portfolios with insights from experiments, connecting theory to practical rocket design applications. (20 min)	Media Art Production: Educational Video Scriptwriting - Students begin drafting scripts for their educational videos, focusing on explaining their rocket design process and challenges faced. (25 min) Team Collaboration: Video Storyboarding - Teams work together to storyboard their videos, planning visuals and key messages. (20 min)	Critique and Revision Session - Schedule a check-in with aerospace engineers for expert feedback on video storyboards and prototype designs, encouraging iterative improvements. (30 min) Reflection Circle: Peer Feedback - Conduct a session where students discuss feedback received and plan next steps for refinement. (15 min)	Advanced Wind Tunnel Testing - Conduct additional wind tunnel experiments with refined prototypes, analyzing the effects of design modifications on aerodynamics. (30 min) Portfolio Development: Iterative Design - Students document changes and outcomes from testing in their digital portfolios, reflecting on their iterative design process. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Conduct and document wind tunnel experiments to test and analyze small-scale rocket models, noting observations on aerodynamics. 2. Update digital portfolios with results from wind tunnel experiments, including sketches, data, and reflections on design iterations. 3. Participate in critique sessions with the aerospace engineer, incorporating expert feedback into design revisions. 4. Contribute to weekly reflection circles, sharing insights and challenges encountered during the design and testing process. 5. Finalize and present an updated rocket design prototype based on wind tunnel data and feedback, ready for further testing in Week 4.
Preparation	1. Secure a guest speaker from a local aerospace engineering firm to provide feedback and insights on student designs. 2. Gather and prepare materials for wind tunnel experiments, including small-scale model parts and measurement tools. 3. Set up a wind tunnel station with safety protocols in place for student experiments. 4. Ensure digital devices are available and functioning for students to document their progress in digital portfolios. 5. Prepare reflection circle materials, including prompt questions and a comfortable space for discussions.

Week 4	Day 16	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Activities	Final Design Review - Students present their rocket designs to peers and guest aerospace engineers, receiving final feedback and making adjustments as necessary. (30 min) Launch Preparation Checklist - Teams create a detailed checklist to ensure all components and systems of their rockets are ready for launch day. (15 min)	Rocket Assembly and Testing - Students complete the final assembly of their rockets and conduct a series of pre-launch tests focusing on stability, balance, and functionality. (30 min) Reflection and Adjustments - Facilitate a brief session for teams to reflect on test outcomes and make any necessary adjustments before the launch. (15 min)	Educational Video Production - Students finalize their educational videos, highlighting their design process, challenges, and solutions. These will be showcased during the exhibition. (25 min) Digital Portfolio Completion - Students update their digital portfolios to include final reflections, design choices, and insights gained throughout the project. (20 min)	Mock Launch Day Run-Through - Teams conduct a full practice run of the rocket launch event, ensuring all roles and responsibilities are understood and practiced. (25 min) Final Reflection Circle - Students participate in a reflection circle to share their journey, discuss growth, and connect their experiences to broader learning goals. (20 min)	Rocket Launch Day Event - Host the community exhibition where students launch their rockets, present their projects, and engage in a Q&A session with aerospace engineers. (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized rocket designs ready for the Rocket Launch Day event, incorporating feedback from aerospace engineers. 2. Educational videos documenting the rocket-building process, including design challenges, solutions, and personal reflections. 3. Digital portfolios containing sketches, calculations, and reflections that demonstrate understanding and growth throughout the project. 4. Participation in the Rocket Launch Day event, launching rockets and engaging with the community during the exhibition. 5. Active involvement in the Q&A session, discussing design choices and learning from aerospace engineers' feedback. 6. Completion of a weekly reflection circle, sharing insights, challenges, and personal growth with peers.
Preparation	1. Set up and test a suitable outdoor area for the Rocket Launch Day event, ensuring safety protocols are in place. 2. Coordinate with guest aerospace engineers to confirm their participation and prepare a schedule for the Q&A session. 3. Ensure all students have access to video editing software and equipment to finalize their educational videos. 4. Organize viewing stations for the educational videos, including any necessary technology such as laptops or projectors. 5. Prepare materials for the reflection circle, including prompts and guidelines for effective peer feedback. 6. Arrange for a digital platform to host students' digital portfolios, ensuring that students know how to upload their work.