Blast Off!

By Amy Dimmerling •

Grade Level	10th
Subject Area	Geometry/Trigonometry
Duration	4– 70 minute class periods
Setting	Standard Classroom & Outdoor area
Background Knowledge	The students will need to have an introductory lesson on right angle trig concepts. They will also need basic data analysis skills.
Author	Amy Dimmerling

Summary
Students will be given many materials to construct a rocket given the goals of the rocket. They will need to make decisions on their design to achieve these goals. Once the rocket is launched, the students will perform calculations and draw conclusions on their design.

Objectives
1. Students will design and construct a rocket. 2. Students will observe their rocket to come to conclusions about its design. 3. Students will make recommendations on future rocket designs 4. Students will develop team skills.

Materials Required
• 1 – 2 Liter Bottle per group of two • Building Materials (suggested items – all are not necessary) Cardboard Construction Paper Duct Tape Packing Tape Glue String Wire Fishing Line Toothpicks Popsicle sticks Straws • Bike pump • Tape measure, at least 50 feet (1 or 2 per class) • Rocket Launching equipment The rocket launching device can be purchased online at http://www.nerdsinc.com/products.aspx?cat=0 • Angle measuring device (1 per group). Made using a protractor, string, a weight, and tape

Ohio Standards

Science

Grade Nine
Science and Technology
Abilities To Do Technological Design
• Identify a problem or need, propose designs and choose among alternative solutions for the problem.
• Explain why a design should be continually assessed and the ideas of the design should be tested, adapted and refined.
Scientific Inquiry
Doing Scientific Inquiry
• Construct, interpret and apply physical and conceptual models that represent or explain systems, objects, events or concepts.

Grade Ten
Science and Technology
Abilities To Do Technological Design
• Explain that when evaluating a design for a device or process, thought should be given to how it will be manufactured, operated, maintained, replaced and
disposed of in addition to who will sell, operate and take care of it. Explain how the costs associated with these considerations may introduce additional
constraints on the design.

Mathematics

Grade Ten
Measurement Standard
Use Measurement Techniques and Tools
• Explain how a small error in measurement may lead to a large error in calculated results.

Grade Eleven
Geometry and Spatial Sense Standard
Transformations and Symmetry
• Use trigonometric relationships to determine lengths and angle measures; i.e., Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.