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Teaching the Scientific Method with Paper Rockets

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Here's how.

Summary

Materials

Teacher Prep

Lesson

Reviews

Grade Range

3rd-5th

Group Size

1-4 students

Active Time

3-4 hours

Total Time

3-4 hours

Area of Science

Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics

Space Exploration

Key Concepts

Scientific method, flight, forces

Learning Objectives

Do background research and make a hypothesis
Do an experiment to test the hypothesis
Draw conclusions from the results of the experiment

Credits

Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hThMoHB88w

Overview

This lesson will introduce your students to the scientific method using a fun, hands-on activity. A middle school version of this lesson plan is also available.

NGSS Alignment

This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:

3-5—Science Practices.

This lesson focuses on these aspects of NGSS Three Dimensional Learning:

Science & Engineering Practices	Disciplinary Core Ideas	Crosscutting Concepts
Asking Questions. Developing and Using Models. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. Analyzing and Interpreting Data. Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking. Constructing Explanations. Engaging in Argument from Evidence. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information.	The Disciplinary Core Ideas that apply to this project, if any, will depend on how students choose to focus their investigation.	Patterns. Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation. Cause and Effect. Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change.