Why Rockets Are Awesome, A Presentation

Why Rockets are Awesome … .and how they can be used to teach your students experimental design By Ringo Dingrando

This presentation, and all the presented material, is available on www.ringophysics.blogspot.com

Ringo Dingrando
High School Physics teacher at the International School of Manila
7 years teaching physics, 3 years teaching IB Physics,
BS in Science Education – U of Missouri
MS in Educational Studies – State University of New York

Rocket Liftoff Clip
Rocket Liftoff Clip

Rocket Launcher demonstration A youtube clip of the rocket launcher in use.

A Poor Rocket Assignment
First……….
Build a rocket! 
You are graded on this. 
Afterwards…
Discuss the physics of your rocket.
(boring)
Not graded
Emphasis is wrong!

A Better Rocket Assignment
First…
Build
Maybe Re-build
Ungraded 
Afterwards…
Design an Experiment
Collect data
Analyze data
IMPORTANT

Why Lab Design is Important
Independent Variables?
This is a variable the student will manipulate.
Dependent Variables?
This is a variable the student will measure.
Variables to Control?
Why is it important for students to be able to do this?

The IB thinks Lab Design is Important
The IB
“ experimental science courses should aim to develop experimental and investigative scientific skills” (p. 9 of the group 4 syllabus)

AP thinks it is important

How to Make a Great Design Lab
This will relate to the rocket launcher seen earlier
But the steps can be used for any type of design lab you like

1. Get plenty of Equipment
Simpler is Better
Focus on lab design, NOT mastery of equipment
Should be interesting
Link: Plans For “Stomp” rocket launcher
Link: A more high tech launcher

2. Make students familiar with equipment
Students play with different variables
My original assignment (LINK)

Middle Schoolers Building

High Schoolers Launching

3. Brainstorm on variables
Different combos of independent and dependent
Few labs should be duplicates

Stick ‘Em Up Brainstorming Independent Variables Dependent Variables

4. Show examples of good labs
Examples should involve different materials
Here is part of a student lab

Student lab
What are some other design lab ideas that could work well?
An example shown to students (LINK)

Other Lab Ideas?

5. Write Design Lab
Can be done in class or out of class
Submitted in soft copy  or hard copy

Middle School Design Lab Middle School Design lab example on heart rate (LINK)

High School Design Lab High School Design lab example on rockets (LINK)

6. Provide Feedback
Pick your favorite format
IB Rubric is good
It can be modified for non-IB classes

The IB Lab Design Rubric

My Feedback Sheet G4IA Assessment sheet 11/3/2008 Student: Gonzales, Jose Investigation: Rocket Design Lab Time: 2Hrs Date(s): 08/01/08 Design General comments Ringo Dingrando 2 Defining the problem and selecting variables You formulated a research question and identified the relevant variables. Great idea to change the center of gravity of the rocket! No one else thought of that! Great sketch graph to help visualize your hypothesis. 1 Controlling variables You do not effectively control variables. By adding extra tape to the tail every time, you WILL change the center of mass, but you are ALSO changing the very important variable of rocket mass. 1 Describing a method for collection of data :) Excellent drawing. You do not state the increments of your independent variable measurements. You do not list the range of your measurements. It is quite clear how and where you intend to add the mass, but how much tape each time? What will be your maximum amount? What about multiple trials? 4 This criteria is only addressed This grade will not appear on the PSOW You are making similar mistakes as you did on previous labs. Please see the feedback on previous labs before you do your next one!

Feedback Sheet produced by G4IA G4IA: http://www.eduap.com/

You could end here….
But if you have time……

7. Do the best labs
Or all of them if possible
Or kids do other students’ labs
Promotes transparency in procedure writing

8. Take the data stopwatch Data recording Cones for distance

More Data Taking

Continue on to the end
Analyze data with graphs
Write a conclusion and evaluation

Contextualizing Labs
contextualized research grant assignment (LINK)

The End
This presentation, as well as all supporting materials, student work, and links are available on my blog…….
www.ringophysics.blogspot.com
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Why Rockets Are Awesome, A Presentation

by Ringo Dingrando on Nov 11, 2008

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Why Rockets Are Awesome, A Presentation — Presentation Transcript