Running head: WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY

Water Bottle Rocketry Lesson Plan 4 Kelley Gaines EDUC630

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY Water Bottle Rocketry Lesson Plan 4 I. Topic/Grade: Water Bottle Rocketry/8th Grade Science II. Standards of Learning: A. Georgia Performance Standards: 1. S8P3b: Demonstrate the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object in terms of gravity, inertia, and friction

2. S8P5a: Recognize that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object and that the force exerted depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. 3. S8CS4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory procedures. B. National Science Standards: As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of motions and forces. III. Objective(s): A. The student will explore the effects of various forces on the propulsion of rockets. (aerodynamics, thrust, gravity, inertia) B. The student will design and launch a water bottle rocket, determine the height at which it travels and redesign the rocket in order to improve performance. IV. List of materials A. Video of Rocket launches

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY B. Computer with Internet Access C. IPod/IPad per every 2 students. D. Interactive whiteboard/projector E. NASA websites on water bottle rocketry

F. Materials for water bottle rockets: 2 lt. cola bottles, duct tape, scissors, plastic file folders and rocket launch pad, water V. Class Diversity: There are 21 students in this class. A. There are 9 males and 12 females. B. There are no students with exceptionalities in this class. C. There are 9 African American students, 1 Hispanic student and 11 white students in the class. While the class is fairly culturally diverse, this should not affect the ability of students to perform the expected tasks during the lesson. D. There are 4 students who are economically disadvantaged. Being economically disadvantaged may inhibit these students access to the Internet or IPod/IPad or similar devices. If this occurs, students will be able to check out a device from the school and/or be grouped with a student who does have access to the materials. VI. Technology inclusion Students will access the Internet to complete a learning module about rocketry using a NASA webpage (Benson, 2013). Students will utilize the simulations on the NASA site to input data about their rockets in order to predict flight results. Students will utilize the Rocket 2.0 software (Whitebox Learning, 2013) to

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digitally design their rockets before construction. Students will use the Clinometer IPod/IPhone app along with the NASA altitude tracker website (Benson, 2013) to determine altitude of their rocket launch. VII. Procedures A. Anticipatory set: Students will view a video about rockets on the interactive whiteboard. The teacher will lead the students in a brief discussion of the history and importance of rocketry to world progress. Students will take a short pretest on their knowledge of rocket flight principles (thrust, acceleration, stability & drag) B. Direct Instruction/Guided practice 1. Students who demonstrate mastery of rocketry principles will begin designing their water bottle rockets immediately using the software, Rockets 2.0 (White Box Learning, 2013). 2. Students who demonstrate a need for more understanding will complete a NASA online module about water bottle rocketry (Benson, 2013). Upon completion of the module students will begin the digital design of their water bottle rockets C. Independent practice 1. Students will design and build a water bottle rocket using 2-liter cola bottles and various other materials. 2. Students will test their designs prior to launch using the NASA simulation website (Benson, 2013). Students will input their specifications of their rockets in order to predict the results of flight.

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY 3. Students will launch rockets. Groups of students will use the

Clinometer app (plain code GMBH, 2012) for the IPhone/IPod to help determine the height the rocket reaches. Students will input the Clinometer data into the NASA altitude tracker webpage (Benson, 2013), which produces the height the rocket launched. 4. Upon completion of all rocket launches, students will be allowed to redesign and retest the rocket in order to demonstrate understanding of rocketry principles. VIII. Evaluation/ Assessment A. The teacher will use the pretest to determine the level of students knowledge about rocketry principles. B. The teacher will use questioning and observations during direct instruction and guided practice as a formative assessment. C. The teacher will monitor student work during the independent practice and ask individual questions to check for understanding. D. The teacher will use the rubric (see appendix) for the rocket design as a summative assessment. IX. Risk Analysis A. No Internet access If no Internet access, students would use a handout on rocket principles to access information. B. Loss of Charge on the IPods/IPads/similar devices

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY Teacher will provide wall chargers for the devices or ask students to bring their own chargers if they are using their own devices. C. Inappropriate access to Internet sites and/or use of device Students will be monitored closely while they have access to the Internet on their devices and must adhere to all school rules applying to Internet access.

Students must be logged into the system Wi-Fi and access technology in plain view of the teacher and other students. Only approved websites will be accessed. D. Lack of skill in using the software The teacher will individually work with students who need help in utilizing any software during the lesson.

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY References Benson, T. (2013). All about water rockets. Retrieved from http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/BottleRocket/about.htm plain code GMBH. (2012). Clinometer HD (version 3.1) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clinometer-hd-bubblelevel/id364877623?mt=8 Whitebox Learning (2013). Rockets 2.0 [Software]. Available from http://www.whiteboxlearning.com/products/rockets

WATER BOTTLE ROCKETRY Appendix

Water Bottle Rockets Rubric

4 Scientific Knowledge Explanations by the student indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. 3 2 1 Explanations by the student do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a more attractive product. Fatal flaws in the design do no allow the rocket to lift correctly from the launch pad. Little evidence of troubleshootin g, testing or refinement.

Construction

Function

Modification/Testing

Explanations Explanations by the student by the student indicate a indicate relatively somewhat of accurate an accurate understanding understanding of scientific of scientific principles principles underlying the underlying the construction construction and and modifications. modifications. Great care taken in Construction Construction construction process was careful has 3-4 details so that the product is and accurate that could neat and attractive. for the most have been part, but 1-2 refined for a details could more have been attractive refined for a product. more attractive product. The rocket functions The rocket The rocket extraordinarily well, functions functions lifts to a reasonable well, lifts to a fairly well, height from the reasonable but does not launch pad. height from lift to a the launch reasonable pad. height from the launch pad Clear evidence of Clear Some troubleshooting, evidence of evidence of testing, and troubleshootin troubleshootin refinements based on g, testing and g, testing and data or scientific refinements. refinements. principles.

TOTAL Rubric created with rubistar.com

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