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Rocket Wind Tunnel Lesson PlanRocket Wind Tunnel Lesson Plan
Publisher
NASA
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
3rd - 12th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Types
Lesson Plans
2 more...
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
45 mins
Instructional Strategy
Hands-on Activity
Technology
Scientific Equipment
Year
2011
Lesson Plan

Rocket Wind Tunnel

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Rocket Wind Tunnel lesson plan also includes:
  • Rocket Educator Guide - Introductory Pages
  • Additional Resources (.html)
  • Activity
  • Join to access all included materials

Using a teacher-built wind tunnel constructed from a paper concrete tube form, a fan, and a balance, individuals determine the amount of drag their rocket design will experience in flight. Pupils make modifications to increase the rocket's flight using the data from the wind tunnel and from the actual flight.

42 Views 24 Downloads

Concepts

drag, friction, rockets, design, engineering design, technology resources

Instructional Ideas

  • Use the wind tunnel to test drag on any model such as cars and planes
  • Futher test the wind tunnel with other rockets built in the series

Classroom Considerations

  • Testing every rocket will take considerable time

Pros

  • The directions provide a detailed description on how to build the wind tunnel
  • The resource provides a data collection sheet in order to record data from the wind tunnel and flight of the rocket

Cons

  • Instructions on calculating the drag does not take into account the mechancial advantage of the lever

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