ROCKETS

Educator Guide with Activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

rocket (noun): A vehicle, usually shaped like a tube, that carries fuel inside it. The fuel makes hot gases or ions that shoot out the back through an opening called a nozzle. This creates a push force one way, which makes an equal push force the other way — sending the rocket forward. Because rockets carry everything they need inside themselves, they can even work in outer space.

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Dear Educators

More than 65 years have passed since NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was created to explore the sky and space. It has been an amazing journey. Humans traveled into space and walked on the Moon. Robotic spacecraft explored every planet, and satellites gave us new views of Earth. A giant space station was built, working as a science lab in microgravity (very low gravity) and home to astronauts from many countries. Other satellites looked far out into the galaxy and beyond, almost back to the beginning of time. All of these amazing things happened because of one invention: rockets.

We are now at the edge of a new era of space exploration, and rockets will take us there. With the next generation of rockets, humans will soon travel farther than Earth orbit. Powerful new vehicles will help humans return to the Moon and travel to Mars. They will also open new possibilities for robotic missions to deep space. The best ideas from our past in space exploration are joining with our dreams for the future. This is a great time for you and your students to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. Rockets will be your way to learn.

This Rockets Educator Guide gives you and your students many chances to explore. You will look at early rockets and learn about the thinkers and dreamers behind them. You will learn about rocket science and math, and what rocket scientists actually do. You will see pictures from many years of space exploration — including Sputnik, Apollo, and the space shuttle. You will see what the future of space travel might look like. You will learn why rockets are the only vehicles that can travel to places no one has ever been.

Will your students be part of this future in space? Will they become the scientists, engineers, technicians, and mathematicians who make space exploration possible? Yes! This guide will help you get them ready for the exciting things to come.

The guide includes chapters about the history of rockets, NASA's SLS (Space Launch System), the science behind how rockets work, and hands-on rocket building. These chapters build the foundation for what comes next — many fun and exciting rocket science activities for the classroom. The activities focus on Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion and how they explain the way rockets work. They include teamwork, problem-solving, careful thinking, and hands-on projects. They also match national and state standards for science, math, and technology across many grade levels.

Every activity is made for the classroom. Each one includes a clear description, background information for teachers and students, step-by-step instructions and tips, lists of easy-to-find materials, ways to check student understanding, discussion questions, and ideas for going further. These activities are designed to build excitement and a love of learning.

This guide can be used in different ways. It can be a two-to-six-week classroom unit, depending on the grade level of your students. Or, you can pick out single activities to use on their own. Each activity clearly states its goals and the key vocabulary students need to understand the ideas.

The goal of the Rockets Educator Guide is to excite young minds. Your students could grow up to be future leaders, planners, builders, explorers, settlers, and even pilots who travel between planets! This guide will help you build the foundation for their future in space.

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Table of Contents

• Letter to Educators
• A Pictorial History of Rockets
• What Comes Next
• SLS (Space Launch System)
• Spacecraft Structures
• Meet the Rocket
• How Rockets Work
• Applying Newton's Laws
• Rocket Activities
• National Curriculum Standards
• Suggested Grade Levels
• Pop Can "Hero Engine"
• 3...2...1...PUFF!
• Heavy Lifting
• Newton Car
• Rocket Races
• Pop! Rocket Launcher
• Pop! Rockets
• Foam Rocket
• Launch Altitude Tracker
• Water Rocket Launcher
• Water Rocket Construction
• Project X-51
• Rocket Scientist Certificate
• Careers: It Takes a Community to Explore Space
• Above and Beyond – Additional Explorations
• How High?
• Science Fiction and the Exploration of Space
• The Art of Space Flight
• Rocket Glossary
• NASA Resources

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A Pictorial History of Rockets

The powerful space rockets we have today are the result of more than 2,000 years of invention, testing, and discovery. First, people made rockets through observation and creative ideas. Later, careful scientific research built the foundation for modern rocket science.

Building on 2,000 years of experience, new rockets will help humans travel farther into space — back to the Moon and on to Mars. These new rockets will be able to do many jobs. They will support missions close to Earth, like trips to the International Space Station, and missions far from home, millions of kilometers away.

Travel to the stars is already possible. Right now, as you read this, robotic spacecraft are traveling into interstellar space (the space between stars). Someday, human explorers will follow them.

Early rocket pioneers are often forgotten, but they took big risks by creating rocket-powered inventions for use on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. Once scientists discovered the rules that explain how motion works, rockets changed from toys and novelties into serious tools for trade, war, travel, and research. This work led to many of the most amazing discoveries of our time.

The short stories that follow give a small taste of the history of rockets. Together, they create a timeline of important events and interesting side stories. Sometimes one story leads into the next. Other times, a story is simply an interesting detour along the way. These stories show the ideas and inspiration that eventually led humans to take their first steps into outer space. NASA's new SLS (Space Launch System), commercial (privately built) rockets, and future rockets all owe much of their success to the discoveries described here.