Rocket Ratios - Unit Plan

Grades 6-8 | 9 (45 min) Classes

Topics Covered

Ratios | Proportions | Scale Drawings | and Scale Models

Essential Question

How are ratios and proportions used when creating scale models of rockets?

Overview

Students will answer the question “How are ratios and proportions used when creating scale models of rockets?” They will explore the concept of proportional figures by making drawings of model rockets with different scale factors. Students will use ratios to compare components of the actual Blue Origin New Shepard with the model rocket version. For the assessment, students will demonstrate their understanding of scales and ratios by creating a scale drawing of the Earth, Moon, and Sun to compare their sizes and distances from each other.

Materials

Each Student Needs:

  • Student Design Portfolio
  • Safety Goggles
  • Graph Paper
  • Ruler
  • Tape Measure

Each Classroom Needs:

Standards

NGSS_logo

SEPs

Developing and using models
Using mathematics and computational thinking
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

CCCs

Scale, proportion, and quantity
Systems and system models

Common-Core-Standards-Logo

Math

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.1

Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3

Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2.A

Decide whether two quantities are in a proportional relationship, e.g., by testing for equivalent ratios in a table or graphing on a coordinate plane and observing whether the graph is a straight line through the origin.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.1

Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing, and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.

ELA

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

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Vocabulary

EQUIVALENT RATIOS

Ratios that can be simplified to the same value

MODEL

A representation of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object

PROPORTION

When two ratios are equivalent

RATIO

A quantitative relationship between two numbers that defines the quantity of the first number by comparing it to the second number

RATIO TABLE

A structured list of equivalent ratios

SCALE DRAWING

Drawings that have been carefully measured and accurately reduced or enlarged using a consistent scale factor

SCALE FACTOR

The ratio of any two matching lengths in similar figures

TAPE DIAGRAM

A rectangular drawing that looks like a piece of tape but is divided to support mathematical calculations

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