NGSS Lesson Planning Template

Grade/ Grade Band: 3-5th grade Topic: Space Launch System Lesson # __3__ in a series of _7___ lessons
Brief Lesson Description: Students up until this point have thought about the spacecraft for the mission to Mars and the topography of the
planet for a safe landing. Now it is time to plan the launch that will get the mission off of planet Earth (http://www.space.com/18596-mars-
colony-spacex-elon-musk.html) Students will grapple with the issues of getting Astronauts off the planet and then to Mars.
Performance Expectation(s):
MS-ETS1-4 Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an
optimal design can be achieved.
MS-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best
characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

Specific Learning Outcomes: To engage in this engineering challenge, which will have students studying which design will get the most
lift. The testing is iterative. The students will articulate the aspects of the design allowed the rocket to achieve the required distance
while carrying the greatest amount of payload.
Lesson Level Narrative
Now that you have study the topography of the planet and designed a spacecraft that can get from Earth to Mars, it is time for launch. The
engineers of the Mission to Mars exploration team need to come up with creative ideas for launching heavy payloads into orbit. Payloads
include parts and supplies for the spacecraft that will carry humans to Mars and elements necessary for a Mars settlement. 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. You and your team will try to create a rocket that will lift the greatest payload into
space (the ceiling).
Science & Engineering Practices: Science & Engineering Practices: Science & Engineering Practices:
Developing and Using Models to understand Developing and Using Models to understand Developing and Using Models to understand
what it takes to get a rocket out of Earths what it takes to get a rocket out of Earths what it takes to get a rocket out of Earths
orbit. orbit. orbit.

Analyzing data from the rocket trials to Analyzing data from the rocket trials to Analyzing data from the rocket trials to
determine which design is best for modeling determine which design is best for modeling determine which design is best for modeling
leaving Earths orbit. leaving Earths orbit. leaving Earths orbit.
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
Elementary-school students typically do not understanding gravity as a force. They see the phenomenon of a falling body as natural with
no need for further explanation or they ascribe to it an internal effort of the object that is falling (Obgborn, J. (1985). Understanding
students understanding: An example from dynamics. European Journal of Science Education, 7, 141-150.) If students do not view weight as
a force, they usually think it is the air that exerts this force. Misconceptions about the causes of gravity persis after traditional high-school
physics instruction. Misconceptions about the causes of gravity can be overcome by specially designed instruction.

LESSON PLAN 5-E Model

ENGAGE: Opening Activity Access Prior Learning / Stimulate Interest / Generate Questions:
If you can you might want to show students a video that shows how rockets get the space shuttle off the ground.
(insert video link for Buzz light Year in Toy Story)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyGuBM1ELf4

Show a video clip with Buzz light year from Toy Story.Then tie in how Buzz takes compared to a rocket.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJnlmJ4lqik

Students are asked a number of questions about the factors that allow the rockets to get the spacecraft out of Earths orbit.
How do you think these rockets are working?
What do you know about Space?
What do you know about rockets?
Today you will make a rocket that will be safe and complete the mission.

Teacher will provide all the materials for the students and help guide them with the initial model of their rocket.
EXPLORE: Lesson Description What should the teachers ask and do? What will the students do?
How many students in the groups will you have?
Students will be numbered off. In each group there will be 4 students.

What will be the different roles that they should have during the experiment?

One of the students will be in charge of getting the materials . The second student will have the role of pumping up the balloon. The third
will have the role of the paper clips. And the fourth student will have the role of taping.
Teacher will give them a minute or two to decide who will do what job.

What are the Limitations and explanations of using the materials. What are the guidelines that will be given to the students?
(Minimal guidelines of the string from the top of the ceiling to the floor. )
Students will have instructions on what materials they will be using.
Guidelines will be to have the string hanging from the top of ceiling to floor/ How many balloons the students may use.
Another Guideline- rocket has to initially start with 20 paperclips.
The object of the mission is to get as many paperclips (astronauts) up in space as possible.

EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:

Concept:
Newtons 1st Law: An object at rest stays at rest, an object in motion stays in motion
2nd Law : the change in momentum of a body is related to the force acted upon it, in a straight line.
3rd Law: For every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction.
Weight changes depending on your gravity
Vocabulary:
Gravity, acceleration, momentum, force, reaction, trial and error
ELABORATE: Applications and Extensions:
What worked when you were making the rocket?
How can others use this in their rocket?
can we combined each idea to make a better rocket?

EVALUATE:

Formative Monitoring (Questioning / Discussion):

What ideas are you thinking about?
What can you do to make it go up higher?
What can you do to to take more astronauts up to Mars?
What has been the most

Summative Assessment (Quiz / Project / Report):

Which way worked out best?
What could have been done differently?

Elaborate Further / Reflect: Enrichment: