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Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Heavy Lifting

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A lesson plan for students to construct balloon powered rockets. Students will be given the same materials to construct their own rocket and then have a contest to see who can launch the highest paperclip from their rocket.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Learn to Design an Ion Engine

For Students 9th - 10th
The goal of this electricity and electronics science fair project is to understand how ions are used to propel spacecraft in space, and to use a NASA online simulator to design your own ion engine. The Science Buddies project ideas are...
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Handout
Cosmos 4 kids

Cosmos4 kids.com: Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
Space can be explored in many different ways. Read about space exploration and click on the topics on the right margin to find out how man finds out about his universe.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Rockets

For Students 11th - 12th
HyperPhysics site with dealing with the mathematics of rocket flight. The site is interactive and allows the user to input data. This is a rather high level site and, while any student could use it to get answers, to understand some of...
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Handout
Cosmos 4 kids

Cosmos4 Kids: Exploration: Rockets

For Students 3rd - 8th
The entire history of rocketry took place in 100 years! The early 1900's saw their first appearance, and by the end of the century, rocket technology took many forms with the most famous being the Space Shuttle. The brief, to the point...
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Website
California Institute of Technology

Stories From Space: Supercool Space Tools

For Students 3rd - 8th
A great story highlighting the history of space discovery and the tools then and now. Learn about the tools and technology that help us in our quest to go beyond our planet and our solar system.
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Activity
University of California

At Home Astronomy: Hands on Science Experiments for the Entire Family

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of ten hands-on science experiments for the entire family that will help you understand concepts in astronomy. Make an astrolabe, find the size of the sun and moon, build a lunar settlement, find out about meteoroids, shadow...
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Website
Other

Sea Launch

For Students 9th - 10th
This corporation launches rockets for businesses interested in a cost effective, reliable solution for sending satellites into orbit. Information, images, and detailed specifications can all be found here.
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Website
Views of the Solar System

Views of the Solar System: The Solar System

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the solar system through this site that includes vivid multimedia resources. Learn the latest scientific discoveries, the history of space exploration, and much more. Site includes videos, graphics, articles, and photographs.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: Wernher Von Braun

For Students 9th - 10th
NASA profiles Wernher von Braun, "one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration during the period between the 1930s and 1970s."
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Handout
Orpheus Books

Q Files: Technology: Space Transport

For Students 9th - 10th
The story of space exploration is told from the first successful rocket built in 1926 to space probes and the International Space Station.
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Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Pilot Pals

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Four animated activities introduce early learners to basic concepts about the weather, gears, airplane parts, and rockets.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Strawkets and Thrust

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students investigate the effect that thrust has on rocket flight. Students will make two paper rockets that they can launch themselves by blowing through a straw. These "strawkets" will differ in diameter, such that...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Fuel Mystery Dis Solved!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students investigate the simulated use of solid rocket fuel by using an antacid tablet. Students observe the effect that surface area and temperature has on chemical reactions. Also, students compare the reaction time...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Rockets on a Shoestring Budget

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students revisit the Pop Rockets activity from Lesson 3. This time, however, the design of their pop-rockets will be limited by budgets and supplies. They will get a feel for the limitations of a real engineering...
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Satellites, Shuttles, and Space Stations Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide provides a brief overview of satellites, shuttles, rockets, and space stations. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
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Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Robert H. Goddard

For Students 3rd - 8th
This brief article overviews the contributions Robert H. Goddard made to the development of liquid-fueled rockets.
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Interactive
NASA

NASA Kids Club: Rocket Builder

For Students K - 2nd
Students can hone their shape-recognition skills and use the plans to build a fleet of rockets.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Lift Off!

For Students 3rd - 8th
Observe kids building a model rocket. See how they use the scientific method to figure out how to make sensors for their rocket.
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Activity
Science Bob Pflugfelder

Science Bob: Make Your Own Balloon Rocket!

For Students 3rd - 7th
This site contains a brief procedure for building (and launching) a balloon powered rocket. Introduces concepts of air pressure and propulsion.
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Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: The Space Place

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site from NASA's Space Place is geared towards early elementary learners. It offers detailed instructions for crafts and activities related to space, games and a teacher resource area. Students can also ask an expert at this site.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This Illinois Institute of Technology site is a lesson plan and lab that utilizes a toy rocket to investigate Newton's third law. Includes directions and practical applications.