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Goal

To demonstrate rocketry principles through a cooperative, problem solving project in which 8th graders will design, build and launch a bottle rocket. 

Category

School-Wide, Grade-Level, Or Class Events/Programs - Parent Nights, Honor Roll Celebrations, EOY Events, etc. 

What will be done with my students

For our final project of the year, my students will participate in this inquiry based science project in which they will work in cooperative groups to create their own bottle rockets. Students will work in groups of 3-4 and construct a rocket using a 1 or 2 liter plastic soda bottle. They can choose from a number of materials such as foam board, card stock paper nose cones, balsa wood, duct tape, parachutes, and recovery system parts to construct wings, fins, nosecones, recovery systems and other design elements. Using the scientific method, students will hypothesize the best design for the rocket, manipulate and control variables, see their hypothesis verified or refuted, analyze their findings and create a plan to improve upon their rocket design. Champions helped me purchase a launcher that utilized water and pressurized air to launch our rockets and this grant would enable us to refresh our construction supplies. 

Benefits to my students

Water rocketry is one of the most exciting hands on science activities. Converting empty plastic soda bottles into high flying rockets provides a great learning experience for students and is a great way for students to discover important scientific principles such as Newton's laws. Students will have the opportunity to use important science skills such as observation, predicting, communicating, team work, controlling variables, measuring, accuracy, making models, collecting and interpreting data. Not only is this a fun, hands on inquiry project but it is also a challenge for students to apply the science skills they've learned through eighth grade. The goal is to create the rocket that goes the highest AND has a working recovery system.  

Budget Narrative

Included supplies that students may need to construct their bottle rocket. Cardstock for nosecones. Wood, foam board for fins. Parachute kits and rubber bands for parachutes. Hot glue to attach to bottle. 

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