NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center: Timeline of Rocket History
This graphical presentation includes a collection of more than 50 images and descriptions tracing rocketry from ancient times to the present day.
Smithsonian Institution
Nat. Air and Space Museum: Pioneers of Flight: Rockets and Dream of Spaceflight
Read about the history of rocketry and the first rocket inventors who laid the initial foundation for the development of the spaceflight industry.
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Water Rocket Launch
The main focus of this instructional activity is learning about aerospace engineering and the principles of rocketry. To accomplish this, young scholars will work in teams to design, build, and launch a rocket made out of a soda bottle,...
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Blast Off
Hands on activity where learners focus on aerospace engineering to investigate space flight from the viewpoint of an engineer. They design, build, and launch their rocket, then share their experiences with the class.
NASA
Ltp: Rocket Principles
Excellent NASA sponsored site on the principles of rockets. The site relates Newton's 3 laws to the flight of a rocket. Site also has links to activities related to rockets in addition to links about practical rocketry.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Strawkets and Control
In this activity, students investigate the effect that fins have on rocket flight. Students construct two paper rockets that they can launch themselves by blowing through a straw. One "strawket" has wings and the other has fins. Students...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Rockets
HyperPhysics site with dealing with the mathematics of rocket flight. The site is interactive and allows the user to input data. This is a rather high level site and, while any student could use it to get answers, to understand some of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Optimal Bottle Rocket Launch
Students build rocket models designed for gaining the maximum height. They use a compressed air rocket launcher and 2-liter plastic bottles. They will also use an online simulator to help them make predictions and adjustments to their...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Strawkets and Thrust
In this activity, students investigate the effect that thrust has on rocket flight. Students will make two paper rockets that they can launch themselves by blowing through a straw. These "strawkets" will differ in diameter, such that...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Strawkets and Weight
In this activity, students investigate the effect that weight has on rocket flight. Students construct a variety of their own straw-launched rockets, or "strawkets," that have different weights. Specifically, they observe what happens...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Newton Gets Me Moving
In this instructional activity, learners will explore motion, rockets and rocket motion while assisting Spacewoman Tess, Spaceman Rohan and Maya in their explorations. They will first learn some basic facts about vehicles, rockets and...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Model Rockets
Explore how the materials and shape of a rocket affect its performance. Watch kids use the scientific method to figure out how to build a model rocket that will reach 1,600 feet.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Third Law of Motion
This Illinois Institute of Technology site is a lesson plan and lab that utilizes a toy rocket to investigate Newton's third law. Includes directions and practical applications.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Foam Rocket
This lesson plan shows students how to construct a rocket using pipe insulating foam. Students will investigate the relationship between launch angle and range when launching their rockets powered by rubber bands.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Launch Altitude Tracker
This lesson plan allows student to make a launch altitude tracker. Student will use a sighting tube and angle measurements to track the altitude of rockets that are launched.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Rocket Wind Tunnel
This lesson's objective is to construct a rocket wind tunnel and have student predict the performance of their rocket. Students will use this rocket wind tunnel to measure and modify parts of the rocket to make it fly higher.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Water Rocket Launcher
Follow the directions in the lesson plan to construct a water rocket launcher made from off the shelf hardware and wood.
NASA
Nasa: Rockets Educator Guide: Water Rocket Construction
Students will follow steps to construct a rocket from a two-liter soft drink bottle and other materials. Students will use the water rocket launcher to launch this rocket.
NASA
Nasa: Wernher Von Braun
NASA profiles Wernher von Braun, "one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration during the period between the 1930s and 1970s."