Grades 4-6: Engineering Rockets and Rovers - Week 6

Grade: 4-6

Duration: 45 minutes

Topic: Create a Rocket

Overview

Students use their knowledge from previous lessons to design and test rockets capable of carrying rovers to space destinations.

Objective

Apply knowledge of rocket variables to design a rocket capable of carrying a payload.
Test and iterate on rocket designs based on data.
Reflect on the value of perseverance in improving designs.

Materials

Rocket building kits, weights, measuring tools, Engineering Journals, Chromebook/iPad.

Lesson Steps

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Begin with a prayer asking for guidance and wisdom in our learning and engineering journey.

Suggested Prayer:

“Dear God, thank You for the wonders of creation and for giving us the ability to explore and understand it. Help us use our knowledge to care for Your world. Amen.”

2. Introduction (10 minutes)

Discussion: Discuss the importance of iteration and testing in improving rocket designs.
Connection to Faith: Relate perseverance in engineering to the Christian value of perseverance, as expressed in Philippians 4:13.

3. Main Activity (25 minutes)

Activity: Students design rockets to carry rovers, test them, and iterate based on performance data.
Catholic Integration: Reflect on how perseverance helps us improve our work and ourselves.

Activity: Students write about how perseverance in engineering applies to personal growth.
Sharing: Discuss how testing and iterating helps improve designs and achieve goals.

Catholic Integration

Faith Connection: Perseverance and continual improvement in engineering and in life.

Assessment

Participation: Observe how well students engage in testing and iterating on their rocket designs..
Reflection: Assess students’ understanding of their understanding of perseverance and its application in life..

Closing Prayer (2 minutes)

End the lesson with a prayer thanking God for the opportunity to learn and explore.