This lesson plan is about the various facets of launching a spacecraft into space. Learners will look at the launch vehicle requirements for the Genesis spacecraft, then decide which rocket should be used from a list of several Delta rockets. Next,... (View More) they will model the thrusters used for course corrections on the spacecraft, using a milk carton and water. In the third part of this activity, learners investigate how the size of the exit nozzle affects the force of a thruster. Includes a teacher's guide and students handouts. Video and audio clips are provided. This is lesson 4 of 8 from the Dynamic Design: Launch and Propulsion module. (View Less)

This experiment is about contaminiation. Learners will go through a series of steps in which they will test and observe how detergent breaks up contamination in a guided inquiry. Following this they will complete an open inquiry in which they ask... (View More) questions about variables in washing dishes and design and conduct a test to answer these questions. Includes a teacher's guide and students handouts. Video and audio clips are provided. This lesson 4 of 10 from the Dynamic Design: The Cleanroom module. (View Less)

This is a lesson about spacecraft design. Learners will use the information learned in previous lessons, combined with their own creativity and problem-solving skills, to design and test a parachuting probe that will withstand a fall from a high... (View More) point, land intact, be able to descend slowly, float in liquid, and cost the least to launch into space. Extensions provide an option if the teacher has limited time, and invite the students to simulate other experiments that will be carried out by the Huygens probe. This is lesson 9 of 12 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 3-4. (View Less)