Curated OER
Destination Outer Space
Students investigate space travel. In this space travel lesson students examine space exploration history, engineers and scientists involved in space exploration, and Newton's third law of motion. Students make rockets.
Curated OER
Simple Rocket Science
Students demonstrate Newton's Third Law of Motion. They discuss the history of rockets, observe how a rocket works, and draw a picture and write an explanation of the balloon experiment.
Curated OER
More Rocket Science
Young scholars observe two rocket science experiments, and create a graph to demonstrate the results. They draw a picture and write an explanation of the results of the experiments.
Curated OER
Rocket Science
Middle schoolers examine what it takes to be a rocket scientist and other related careers. In this rockets lesson plan students use the Internet to do their research.
Curated OER
Physics Lab Rockets
Students construct and test balloon rockets and a model rocket. In this rocket science lesson, students use an inquiry-based method to master balloon rockets and have a shoot-off with the goal of attaining the highest altitude. Next,...
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Rocket Races
This lesson allows students to create their own rockets using foam trays and drinking straws that are powered by a balloon. Students will race their rockets on a track and determine why some rockets moved faster than others.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Applying Newton's Laws
Learn how Newton's Laws apply to rocketry. Discover how rockets work, including the engines and propellants.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Pop Can "Hero Engine"
This lesson has learners make water propelled engines using pop drink cans. Students will test the effectiveness of the engines and determine anything that affects the action.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: 3, 2, 1, Puff!
This lesson plan gives directions for students to construct small, paper rockets that can be launched inside. The students will determine how stable the rocket is and launch them by blowing air through a straw.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Newton Car
This lesson gives students direction on how to experiment using gravity and force. Students will make a wooden car and use different forces to make the car propel.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Pop! Rocket Launcher
This lesson allows students to construct a rocket launcher that can be used for several different types of rockets. This rocket launcher is propelled by students stomping on a two liter bottle to provide force.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Pop! Rockets
This lesson plan allows students to make a rocket with card stock paper. Students will be able to launch the rocket and then discuss the variables affecting the height of each launch.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Launch Altitude Tracker
This lesson plan allows student to make a launch altitude tracker. Student will use a sighting tube and angle measurements to track the altitude of rockets that are launched.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Rocket Wind Tunnel
This lesson's objective is to construct a rocket wind tunnel and have student predict the performance of their rocket. Students will use this rocket wind tunnel to measure and modify parts of the rocket to make it fly higher.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Water Rocket Launcher
Follow the directions in the lesson plan to construct a water rocket launcher made from off the shelf hardware and wood.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Water Rocket Construction
Students will follow steps to construct a rocket from a two-liter soft drink bottle and other materials. Students will use the water rocket launcher to launch this rocket.
Other
Florida International University: History of Rockets
A comprehensive site devoted to the history of rockets, with excellent illustrations interspersed throughout.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: How Rockets Work
In this article, learn how rockets work. Discover Newton's Law of Motion and learn how it supports rocketry.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: A Pictorial History
View pictures, descriptions, and dates of rockets throughout history. Learn about rockets and how they have evolved throughout time.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Heavy Lifting
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.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Destination Outer Space
Students acquire a basic understanding of the science and engineering of space travel as well as a brief history of space exploration. They learn about the scientists and engineers who made space travel possible and briefly examine some...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Physical Science
The Discovery Channel provides numerous lesson plans dealing with the physical sciences. Content is organized by grade level, but all lesson plans include suggestions for adaptations for older or younger audiences.
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Build a Film Canister Rocket
Science Bob uses magnets, film canisters and Alka-Seltzer tablets to demonstrate how to build film canister rockets.