Sample Lesson: "Water Bottle Rockets" (Part 3) Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: The Story | Part 3: Observations from the Experiment |
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Placing the cork securely in the bottle. |
Adjusting the launch angle. |
One student places the bottle
Three, two, one -- liftoff! |
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Part 3: Observations from the Experiment Each student makes discoveries on their own level. For instance, when they launch their water bottle rockets, some students only discover that the rocket goes farther when it starts about one quarter full of water. Another student may discover additionally that it goes farther if it launches at a 45-degree angle. Another student may not care about any of that but notices that the bottle has fog inside after it lands. Another student may be fascinated that the pump makes fewer and fewer bubbles in the water the longer you pump. Another student may notice that the bottle is noticeably colder upon landing. Another student may notice that twisting in the cork makes the rocket go further. The list of their discoveries goes on and on. We deal with children of all ages and abilities. If we were to tell the class what they should have observed and the principles behind that observation, it would fall on deaf ears. And if we went on to discuss Newton’s three laws of motion, all eyes would glaze over and the joy of discovery would be lost because they didn’t discover what we told them they should have discovered. After the experiment, the instructor returns to the story, and many students are able to predict how it will end, given what they now know about action and reaction. (To maximize the benefit of the lesson, teachers often have the children draw a picture about the class and write a few words about what they did, just as though they were telling a pen pal about the experience. In this way, the benefits of the science lesson are carried over into other subjects.) |
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“The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.” |
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-- Frank Herbert |
| Also See:
Seven Secrets of Rock-it Science In-school Lessons Curriculum Library Field Trips Teacher Training Workshops Contact Us |
Dry Ice: Students discover how to make a hollow ice egg, how soap bubbles can float in mid air, how to make fog, and how to make eerie noises. This relates to solids, liquids, gases, sublimation, condensation, dew point, freezing point, vibrations, clouds, greenhouse effect, and respiration.
Roller Coasters: Students work in groups to make a roller coaster with split foam tubes, marbles and tape. They discover amazing ways to get as many energy conversions as possible. This relates to potential and kinetic energy, friction, and inertia.
Other Experiments: We have over 200 highly tested and successful project-oriented science experiments that are creative, challenging, and fun! The lessons target chemistry, physics, life science, and earth science. For a complete list of lessons available for in-school classes, see our Curriculum Guide.
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