NGSS Lesson Planning Template

Grade/ Grade Band: 3-5th grade Topic: Space Launch System Lesson # __2__ 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 - How Will Students Build And Communicate New Knowledge?
ENGAGE: Opening Activity Access Prior Learning / Stimulate Interest / Generate Questions:
Demonstrations, Questions, Building Connections To Students Experiences.

If you can you might want to show students a video that shows how rockets get the space shuttle off the ground.
http://www.space.com/12946-nasa-heavy-lift-rocket-animated.html

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 think happened here when this incident happened?
http://www.space.com/30955-orbital-atk-rocket-explosion-year-later.html
Today you will be engaged in designing a rocket that will be safe and complete the mission. 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?
Hands-On Experience(s) With Concept.

Introduce rockets by asking students how they would be able to get to Mars. Explain how rockets are necessary and important in getting to
Mars. Introduce the heavy lifting project and give instructions on the goal of the experiment. Have the students form groups and distribute
supplies. Students will create balloon rockets in small groups with the goal of having their rocket go as far into space as possible.

EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:

As explainer, my idea could be start asking question of how to they set up the experiment, how they were be able to do it, something that
they could change and make an improvement as group?. After the children answer the questions given and most of them will have an good
explanation, I will go over the activity based on their answer and add on more ideas for them to expand their critical thinking.

Vocabulary: Gravity, Atmosphere, mass, volume, rocket, payload, orbit

ELABORATE: Applications and Extensions:

After they do their first experiment, I will direct them towards a new path (If fail).
- What can you do to change the from the first experiment?
- What influenced you to change your experiment the way you did? How are you going to change it?
- What was different from your first experiment?
- What error occured in your first experiment?
- Now that you know your errors, how are/did you fix them?

EVALUATE:
How Will Students Share Their Knowledge?

Formative Monitoring (Questioning / Discussion): a pre-formative Discussion to identify will the children's knowledge about space, gravity,
mars, etc. After the activity, there will be a post formative discussion to see what ideas and concepts they learned from the lesson.

Summative Assessment (Quiz / Project / Report):