Unit 1: Team America Rocketry Challenge

Overview
Students will complete construction of the Team America Rocket.  They will have made adjustments and modifications necessary after processing data on RockSim computer application.  Students will launch the rockets following the National Association of Rocketry guidelines, and the teams chosen to compete in the national competition will submit the proper paperwork.

English (.pdf file)
For the Team America Rocketry Challenge in English class, students will create a “Journeys in Science” scrapbook in order to complete specific writing assignments concerning their rocket building.  During the rocket development process, students will complete writing assignments to justify their rocket designs and make performance predictions.

Math (.pdf file)
Students will make predictions and calculations based on simulated and actual launch data and measurements.  They will input data into graphing calculators, enabling them to instantly generate multiple representations such as graphs and charts.  This will allow students to analyze the data more efficiently.  Students will then compare actual data to their predictions.

Social Studies (.pdf file)
Students will research and then write detailed summaries of the important historical facts of scientists and government officials involved with rocketry, space exploration and ballistics.  This information will be compiled into a PowerPoint and orally presented to the class.  Additional instructions concerning this project may be given in class, which the students will be responsible to follow.

Science (.pdf file)
Students will examine atomic structure and understand its properties, focusing on the electrons.  Students will experiment with chemical reactions and balancing the corresponding chemical equations.  Students will also research batteries, how they work, amps and voltage, and experiment with creating a wet cell battery to power electronic devices.  Students will write a lab report.

High Powered Rocketry (.pdf file)
Students will complete construction of the Team America Rocket.  They will have made adjustments and modifications necessary after processing data on RockSim computer application.  Students will launch the rockets following the National Association of Rocketry guidelines, and the teams chosen to compete in the national competition will submit the proper paperwork.