Bottle Rockets Design Cycle Inquiry Lab
This learning experience will involve the student in problem solving by having them design, construct and test soda bottle rockets. The students will have to research rocket science and apply knowledge of conservation of momentum and energy to maximize the flight time. Students will have the opportunity to explore the relationships between science and technology, implement the design cycle using the process of inquiry when designing and building their bottle rockets
Student objective: As a team, design and build a rocket from an empty, less than one-liter soda bottle. The rocket must safely carry a raw egg payload. The team must maximize the time the rocket is above the Earth's surface. All design ideas, data and observation must be recorded in student lab notebook.
Materials:
Rocket launcher and bike pump or compressor
Class building materials
Soda bottles (student must supply)
Construction paper
Foam board
Packing tape
Polycarbonate light covers (tubes)
Trash bags
String, fish line
Raw eggs
Bubble wrap, cotton balls
Scissors, exacto knives
Student supplies materials (no pre-made rocket materials i.e. parachutes)
Procedure:
Student should research rocket design before the lab and record ideas in their lab notebooks. Safety must be stressed that the soda bottle rocket engine should not be cut, scraped or damaged in any way. Do not fill the bottle with hot water or use super glue because this can cause the bottle to explode when pressurized. Safety goggles must be worn during launching of rockets. The complete rocket should include fins, nose cone and body. The first rocket will not have to carry a payload but the second design must carry a raw egg payload. The egg can separate from the rocket and return using a parachute.
Activity 1: Rocket building
After student have completed research and recorded ideas in their lab notebooks they will be given 45 minutes to build a bottle rocket for supply in the classroom. Then all rockets will be tested, flight time recorded and possibly video recorded.
Activity 2: Design review
Based on observation and flight time of their design and the other teams designs, students answered the following question. What worked and what did not work? Students will record observations and redesign ideas in lab notebook. A class discussion will follow where students share their ideas about rocket design.
Activity 3 Rocket Redesign with payload
The student must now redesign the bottle rocket to improve time and carry a raw egg payload safely. The redesign and rebuild can follow the next week to allow students more time for research and design ideas. All design ideas must be recorded in lab notebooks. Students are again given 45 minutes class time to build and then launch all rockets with raw egg payload.
Activity 4 Debriefing
Based on data and observation of the second launch student will discuss design that work and design that do not work and why. Final conclusion will be recorded in lab notebook.
Assessment:
Lab notebook design data, test data, redesign data and conclusion.
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