Using Heavy Lifting to Demonstrate How Conventional Thinking has Changed Over Time

Learning Resource Type

Lesson Plan

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this lesson, students construct balloon-powered rockets to launch the greatest payload possible to the classroom ceiling. Student teams receive identical parts to build rockets. Then the teams compete to launch the greatest number of paper clips to space (the ceiling).

By utilizing this lesson, the students begin to understand that the scientific progress achieved is not a static process but a fluid one that has developed and changed overtime. They also begin to realize that scientific advancement has incorporated a variety of scientists throughout history and time periods.

This lesson was created as part of the 2016 NASA STEM Standards of Practice Project, a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Earth and Space Science

SC15.ESS.6
Obtain and evaluate information about Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein to communicate how their findings challenged conventional thinking and allowed for academic advancements and space exploration.

Vocabulary

Copernicus
Galileo
Kepler
Newton
Einstein
heliocentric
orbit
gravity
relativity

Knowledge

Students know:

Copernicus contributed the heliocentric or sun-centered conception of the universe.
Kepler contributed the three laws of planetary motion Galileo contributed through telescopic observations that materials in universe were more earth like rather than ethereal.
Newton contributed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
Einstein contributed the theories of relativity.

Skills

Students are able to:

Identify relevant evidence found in case studies from the history of science on Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.
Evaluate the validity, reliability of evidence along with its ability to support reasonable arguments.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Science knowledge is a result of human endeavor, imagination, and creativity.
Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and to advances in engineering.
Technological advances have influenced the progress of science and science has influenced advances in technology.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Primary Learning Objectives

The students will be able to evaluate the information obtained on Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton and Einstein and communicate how their findings (breakthroughs in their time) are incorporated into rocketry (space exploration).

Additional Learning Objective(s)

The student will be able to obtain information from the Heavy Lifting Activity, evaluate the information, and communicate how the information they obtained could be modified and used to enhance future designs.

Procedures/Activities

Day 1 Procedures:

(Engage) The teacher shows video 4.1 Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo on Motion, and discusses with the students the importance of motion and these scientists' contributions to rocketry.) The teacher can also show Galileo Galilei vs Isaac Newton as an additional reinforcement of Galileo and his impact on Newton.)
The teacher shows the video History of the Universe in a nutshell: Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler and discusses with the students the importance of an accurate model of the universe and its impact on rocketry. For a more in-depth look at planetary motion from Kepler, the video Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion can be shown.
The teacher shows the video What is Gravity? - Newton vs. Einstein, and discusses with the students the importance of gravity and these scientists contributions on rocketry.
(Explore) The students should complete a journal entry on the scientists while the video and discussions occur. Then have the students pair off with another student to discuss what they thought was the most important discovery, by whom, and why? (NOTE: document this discussion as a journal entry.)
(Evaluate) Have the students create a timeline of the scientists, including their discoveries and how they affected rocketry. (Multimedia presentation tools could also be utilized with this activity.)

Day 2 Procedures:

(Explain) Divide your students into teams of three. Explain the project to them: "NASA is looking for creative ideas for launching heavy payloads into orbit. Payloads include parts and supplies for the International Space Station and spacecraft that will carry humans to the Moon and Mars. NASA is also interested in rockets that can transport large fuel tanks that will be used to power deep space rockets. You are challenged to build the most efficient heavy-lift rocket from the same set of materials. The team that is able to lift the greatest payload into space (the ceiling) is the winner."
Provide each team with an identical kit of materials. Tell them that any or all of these materials can be used for their rockets.
Review the launching procedure. Explain how the straw guides the rocket up the fishing line or string and that the line must be held snug to the floor for the launch. [NOTE: to attach the string to the floor you can use (1) duct tape/masking tape if it is a tile floor or (2) tie off to a dumbbell if it is a carpet floor (this would allow the fishing line to be wound on the dumbbell and stored for use next time.)] Remind the teams that they only get three balloons. They can launch as many times as they want to (in the time allotted) but should try to improve how many paper clips they can successfully lift.
Draw a chart on the board for teams to record their results (i.e., the number of paper clips that reach the ceiling). (NOTE: Smart Boards/digital boards can be utilized to create a chart for recording of data. This way, data can be saved for the entire group and revisited if needed.)
Have students record their data on the student data sheet.

Tip: If you wish to do so, provide one extra balloon to each team as a replacement in case of a mishap (pop!) or as a fourth rocket for their cluster. Make a small coupon for the extra balloon and put it in the parts bag. The coupons will help you keep track of which teams have already requested an extra balloon.

Procedures (page 48 )

Student Data Sheet (page 50)

6. Have each team present their design to the class.

How many balloons did they use?
How many paperclips did their rocket carry to the ceiling?
How did they attach the paper clips to the balloon?
What problems did they encounter? How did they solve those problems?

7. (Evaluate) Have the team write and submit a summary of their launch vehicle (using correct science and technology terms) and choose which scientist they feel had the most impact on their design (and why).

8. (Evaluate) For a more formative assessment, have the students complete an exit slip listing the five scientists: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein and then list their contribution to science. (Note: a table like the one below can be used to assist the students in their organizational skills.)

	Scientist Name _{(from lesson)}	Contribution to Science
1
2
3
4
5

Assessment Strategies

Assessment

Day 1:

(Evaluate) Utilizing their journal entries, have the students create a timeline of the scientists, including their discoveries and how they affected rocketry. (Multimedia presentation tools could also be utilized with this activity.)

Day 2:

1. (Evaluate) Have each team present their design to the class.

How many balloons did they use?
How many paperclips did their rocket carry to the ceiling?
How did they attach the paper clips to the balloon?
What problems did they encounter? How did they solve those problems?

2. (Evaluate) Have the team write and submit a summary of their launch vehicle (using correct science and technology terms) and choose which scientist they feel had the most impact on their design (and why).

3. (Evaluate) For a more formative assessment, have the students complete an exit slip listing the five scientists: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein and then list their contribution to science. (Note: a table like the one below can be used to assist the students in their organizational skills.)

	Scientist Name _{(from lesson)}	Contribution to Science
1
2
3
4
5

Acceleration

Extensions

Day 1 Discussion Questions:

Why is NASA supportive of commercial space companies?

NASA’s space efforts are aimed at expanding our horizons in space. Although their space rockets are easily capable of launching communications, weather, and Earth resources satellites, NASA continually looks beyond. NASA explores, and when it pioneers a new technology, it seeks to turn over continued development to U.S. commercial interests. That way, NASA can focus on and advance to the next new horizon. NASA’s current new horizons include the first permanent bases on the Moon and the first human expeditions to Mars. These are demanding challenges. When they are met, commercial space companies will follow, permitting NASA to move on to even greater challenges.

Why is it important to construct efficient heavy-lift vehicles?

Traveling into space is a very difficult and expensive endeavor. Huge rockets and tremendous amounts of propellants are required to accomplish the job. With some rockets, launch costs were approximately $20,000 per kilogram of payload delivered into Earth orbit. If that cost were to continue, imagine staying at a space hotel where it would cost about $10,000 for a half-liter bottle of drinking water! Improving heavy-lift rockets (lighter rocket structures, more propellant efficient engines, etc.) will enable us to accomplish much more in space at far more reasonable costs!

Day 2:

(Elaborate) Challenge students to design a two-stage rocket. The lower balloon "fires" before the upper balloon. The upper balloon carries the payload to the ceiling.
Have the team of students defend their choice of most influential scientist on their design.

Intervention

Here are some suggestions for students who need extra assistance

Introduce the assignment in sequential steps
Check for student understanding of instructions
Check on progress often in the first few minutes of work
Provide time suggestions for each task
Provide a checklist for long detailed tasks
Assign a peer helper to check understanding of directions
Assign a peer helper to read important directions and essential information
Assign a peer tutor to record material dictated by the student
Allow small group work

Total Duration

Greater than 120 Minutes

Background/Preparation

The teacher reviews the material below and creates a prior lesson on the contributions of Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein on the forces that need to be understood (and sometimes overcome) to launch a rocket.

The YouTube video link 4.1 Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo on Motion will explain motion. (The teacher can also review Galileo Galilei vs Isaac Newton as an additional resource.)

The YouTube video link What is Gravity? - Newton vs. Einstein will explain gravity.

The YouTube video link History of the Universe in a nutshell: Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler will give a short introduction to four explanatory models of the universe. The video Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion will provide a more in-depth look at orbital motion.

Background Information

Heavy Lifting Activity Background Information

NOTE: to attach the string to the floor you can use (1) duct tape/masking tape if it is a tile floor or (2) tie off to a dumbbell if it is a carpet floor (this would allow the fishing line to be wound on the dumbbell and stored for use next time.)

Copernicus Historical Information

Galileo Historical Information

Kepler Historical Information

Newton Historical Information

Newton's Laws of Motion

Einstein Historical Information

Einstein's Equation