Does Mass Matter - Unit Plan

In this lesson, students will answer the question, Does the mass of a model rocket affect the altitude, velocity and duration of the rocket’s flight? Your students are part of a group of engineers working for Rockets R US which has been contracted to build rockets that will carry the PocketLab Data Analyzer to astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). They must be sure that their rockets reach 200ft and contain a payload of no more than 10 pennies to reach the ISS. Students will determine which team member below is correct.

• Martin Moneysaver wants the rocket to carry only the data payload (PocketLab) to the ISS because he feels that would save money for fuel.
• Sha’Niece Supersupplier says the rocket needs to be packed with as many things as possible so that the astronauts on the ISS have fresh food, games, clothing, and comfort items from home. She doesn’t think the amount of mass in the rocket really makes much of a difference.
• Wes Wishywashy is afraid that if they don’t send any supplies for the astronauts the rocket will be too light to fly.

Students will hypothesize how the mass of the payload will affect the rocket’s final altitude. After a review of weight vs. mass, students will practice what they learned and build a straw rocket. After analyzing the data, students will apply those learnings to build the Green Eggs Rocket and plan their payload for their flight. They will state a hypothesis and identify the independent and dependent variables. 

After the flight, the students will combine their data into a class data chart to allow better analysis. They will compare the results and determine the answer to the essential question, “Does Mass Matter?”. 

The student’s final product will be to complete a Claims- Evidence- Reasoning writing piece supporting their final conclusions. A traditional multiple-choice quiz is included for use if needed.