Rocket Project Research Sheet
This is the research sheet for the Rocket Project. All members of your group are required to complete their own research sheet. After the research has been completed, then the group member(s) responsible for writing the paper can use all the research sheets.
What is a rocket?List several early cultures that used rockets.
Describe what these early cultures used rockets for.
How did rocketry in America become important?
What country was America competing against in the Space Race?
Describe how rockets are related to Newton’s 1st Law of Motion
Describe how rockets are related to Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion
Rocket Blueprint Rubric
Each group is required to create a blueprint of their rocket prior to building the rocket. The blueprint will be a pre-planned design that is meant to guide the group through the construction process. If the group feels a need to make changesonce construction of the rocket has begun that is okay. If a change is made, it needs to be mentioned on the blueprint.
5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 0-1Parts / Each part of the rocket is clearly and neatly labeled. / Each part of the rocket is labeled, but they are unclear/not neat. / Only a few of the parts to the rocket are labeled. / One of the parts to the rocketis labeled, or a few of the parts are labeled unclearly. / Zero of the parts to the rocket are labeled.
Dimensions / Each part of the rocket is clearly and neatly labeled with a dimension in centimeters. / Each part of the rocket is labeled with a dimension in centimeters, but the dimensions are unclear/not neat. / Only a few of the dimensions are labeled on the rocket. / One of the parts to the rocket is labeled with a dimension, or a few are labeled with dimensions that are unclear. / Zero of the parts to the rocket are labeled with a dimension.
Color / Each part of the rocket is neatly identified with a different color. / Each part of the rocket is identified with a different color, but not neatly. / Only a few of the parts to the rocket are identified neatly with a color. / One of the parts to the rocket is neatly identified with a color, or a few are parts are identified with a color, but not neatly. / Zero of the parts to the rocket are identified with a color.
Purpose / The purpose of each part of the rocket is clearly/neatly described. / The purpose of each part of the rocket is described unclearly/not neatly. / Only the purposes of a few parts of the rocket are clearly/neatly described. / One of the purposes of the parts of the rocket is clearly/neatly described. / Zero of the purposes for the parts of the rocket are described.
Changes / All changes that were made during the construction of the rocket are clearly described next to the part that was changed. / A few of the changes that were made during the construction of the rocket are clearly described next to the part that was changed. / One of the changes that were made during the construction of the rocket is clearly described next to the part that was changed. / Zero of the changes that were made during the construction of the rocket were described.
Total Score for the Blueprint = ______
Rocket Construction Rubric
Each group is required to construct a 2-Liter Bottle Rocket following the design from the group’s blueprint. The rocket must have a nose cone and fins to earn full credit. If the group can incorporate a parachute onto the rocket that successfully deploys, extra credit will be awarded.
5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 0-1Body / The body of the rocket is constructed from a plastic 2-Liter Pop bottle / The body of the rocket is made from a bottle other than a plastic 2-Liter Pop bottle.
Nose Cone / The rocket has a well constructed nose cone that remains intact throughout the rocket’s launch. / The rocket has a nose cone that is not well constructed but survives the rocket’s launch. / The rocket has a poorly constructed nose cone that is destroyed during the rocket’s launch. / The rocket does not have a nose cone.
Fins / The rocket has at least 2 well constructed fins that remain intact throughout the rocket’s launch. / The rocket has at least 2 fins that are not well constructed but survive the rocket’s launch. / The rocket has at least 2 fins that are poorly constructed and are destroyed during the rocket’s launch. / The rocket has less than 2 fins.
Theme / The finished rocket displays an appropriate theme that the group decides on. / The finished rocket partially displays a theme that the group has decided on. / The finished rocket does not display any type of theme.
Overall Finished Design / All parts of the rocket including a theme are present and the rocket successfully launches at least 20 feet vertically. / All parts of the rocket including a theme are present but the rocket fails to launch at least 20 feet vertically. / The rocket is missing at least one part or a theme and successfully launches 20 feet vertically. / The rocket is missing at least one part or a theme and fails to launch at least 20 feet vertically. / The finished rocket is missing over 1 part with no theme and also fails to launch at least 20 feet vertically.
Total Score for the constructed rocket = ______
Research Paper Rubric
Title Page (Includes title and names) 4 PointsWorks Cited Page (Includes at least 3 sources properly cited) 3 Points
History of Rockets / Who invented the rocket? 3 Points
What cultures used rockets? 3 Points
What were the earliest rockets used for? 3 Points
How have rockets changed/improved over time? 3 Points
Uses for Rockets Today / What are rockets used for today? 3 Points
Military uses 3 Points
Scientific uses (satellites, weather, communication, etc.) 3 Points
How Rockets Work / Why are rockets able to fire/launch? 3 Points
Describe how rockets relate to Newton’s Laws of Motion/other principles of physics. 3 Points
Describe types of fuel that rockets may use. 3 Points
How have rockets changed/improved over time? 3 Points
Total Points earned on the Research Paper = ______
Due Date: Thursday, May 24th
Point Value: 90 Points (25 points for constructing a rocket, 25 points for the blueprint of your rocket, and 40
points for your research paper on rockets)
Objective: To work cooperatively in a group of 2-3 students in order to create a well constructed 2-Liter bottle rocket, create a detailed blue print of your rocket, and write a detailed research paper on rockets.
Below, you will find detailed information about each aspect of the Rocket Project.
Research Paper
Length: 4 Pages. Double Spaced. 12 Point Font. Times New Roman Font. You must include a title page and a works cited page.
Part 1 (History of Rockets): Who invented the rocket? What cultures used rockets? What were the earliest
rockets used for? How have rockets changed/improved over time?
Part 2 (Uses for Rockets Today): Describe what rockets are used for today. Describe military uses. Describe scientific uses in the areas of satellites, weather, communication, etc.
Part 3 (How Rockets Work?): Why are rockets capable of firing/launching? Describe how Newton’s Laws of Motion as well as other principles of physics relate to rockets. Discuss the different types of fuel that rockets use (gun powder, rocket fuel, etc.).
2-Liter Bottle Rocket
Students will create a rocket from 2-liter bottles. Students will have the opportunity to launch their rockets using a water and air fueled launcher.
Guidelines for Construction: Rockets must have a minimum of 1 fin. Rockets must have a nose cone. A minimum of one 2-liter bottle must be used. Rockets can be painted with a theme or an appropriate logo.
Suggested Materials: 2-liter bottle, cardboard, duct tape, card stock, etc. Any materials not listed must be approved by Mr. Yokum.
Blue Print
Before construction of the rocket begins, each group needs to develop a detailed Blue Print of their rocket. This Blue Print will act as a guide once construction of the rockets begins. The Blue Print should have the dimensions of the planned rocket labeled. The Blue Print should be neatly drawn and colored. Once construction of the rocket begins, groups can alter the design of the rocket as needed.