Lift Off!

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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Lift Off) is a full inquiry investigation into the engineering challenges of sending scientific sensors into space. Groups of learners will develop sensors to be deployed on model rockets to measure or indicate selected properties encountered during each rocket’s flight, test launching and modifying as necessary to gather data. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV: Lift Off!

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 7 days
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • model rockets, motors, and launch pad/starter
  • aquarium thermometers (various types, such as liquid crystal or red petroleum-filled)
  • craft materials, such as balsa wood, construction paper, glitter
  • white glue, or a hot glue gun

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
      • Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
    • Earth Processes
      • Weather and Climate
    • Earth Structure
      • Atmosphere
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Aerospace Engineering
      • Transportation Engineering
    • Technology
      • Transportation
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Research and Development
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Projectile Motion
      • Center of Gravity
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results
    • Science as a Career

Informal Categories

  • Model Building
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Toys
  • Transportation

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Girls

    • Explicity developed for this group
    • Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
    • Addresses bias against this group
    • Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
    • Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2005

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 436260