NASA’s Price Sheet

You have to build a rocket, which will cost no more than $25 million dollars.  Here is the price list for the materials you will be using.  Some of the following materials are required for use in your rocket, while other materials are not required for use.  Please plan your materials accordingly so that you are not spending more than the $25 million dollars given to you.  If you do spend more than $25 million, you have gone over budget, and the rocket project will be canceled for you.

Costs of Materials You Can Use: Materials in Bold Print are required to use

! 1 piece of 8 x 11 piece of paper = $11 million

! 30 cm section of either scotch tape or masking tape = $2.5 million per section

! Decals / decoration on your rocket = $1.5 million

! 1 piece of paper for a nose cone = $2 million

! The use of a glue gun, 1 time fee  maximum of one glue stick=  $5 million

! 1 index card = $1 million

! Elmers glue = $3 million

! Extra – Any sealant or other adhesive/ paint used = $3 million

! Duct tape=$2.5 million per 15 cm section

1 piece of 8 x 11 piece of paper                                                         $_________________

30 cm section of either scotch tape or masking tape                               $_________________

Decals / decoration on your rocket                                                   $_________________

1 piece of paper for a nose cone = $1 million $_________________

The use of a glue gun, 1 time fee                                                            $_________________

1 index card                                                                                         $_________________

Elmers glue                                                                                           $_________________

Any sealant or other adhesive/ paint used                                              $_________________

Duct tape                                                                                             $_________________

                                                                                                 Total   $_________________

You will need to turn in this Price Sheet for 5 points with the Final Write-Up.

Rocket Unit

Introduction:  The outer limits of space are starting to be explored.  The Federal Government has approved a plan to send an unmanned rocket into space to travel into the Milky Way.  As a NASA scientist, you are required to design and construct a rocket, which will be air propelled, to make it to the Milky Way, or go the farthest distance.  Since NASA is getting funding from the Federal Government, your budget is $25 million, and the success of this program is dependent upon how far your rocket will travel. 

Objective:  Determine the best design for constructing and launching a rocket made from paper materials. 

Materials: 

! All students will be given 1 section of tubing so you can make your rocket.

! See NASA Price Sheet for the rest of the materials.

Procedures:

! Build and launch Rocket in class

! You will be expected to both build and launch your rocket during class time.  Wednesday’s prelim launch and building will be considered practice for the final launch on Friday.  You will only be given one launch because your rocket will probably not survive the landing.  This launch does not count against your final grade.

! After watching the results of the launches, your homework will be to make a new rocket with the same materials for Friday.

! On Thursday we will discuss what were some the advantages to rocket designs and what were some disadvantages to designs.  On Thursday you will be given time and materials to make a new rocket for Friday’s FINAL launch. 

! On Friday we will be going back outside to launch your newly designed rocket.  You will get 1 launch and your resulting distance will be incorporated into your final grade for the rocket unit.

! If you are not in class on Friday to launch your rocket, the only make up date will be the following Tuesday after school with Mrs. Mikkelson.  If you do not launch your rocket by the following Wednesday you will lose the 12 points for the launch. 

Grading:  Your grade on the Rocket Unit will be made up from the following:

! Distance your rocket traveled:

! Your organized Lab Write-Up should include …   Due Monday after Friday’s final launch

! Objective  (2pts)

! Materials Used  (2pts)

! Procedures – Assembly description of how and why you used the parts you did. (3pts)

! Results –  What was the cost of your rocket?  What were the distances of both rocket

            launches?  What was the height of the rocket? tan 0 = h / ½ x .  Calculate potential energy of the rocket.  PE = mgh. (6pts)

! Conclusion  (12pts)  INCLUDE A DIAGRAM.

! Restate your Objective

! Restate your Results

! Experimental errors

-  Why did your rocket work / not work?

-  How / What variables were changed to maximize your rocket distance from

    the first launch to the second launch?

! Turning in your price sheet – 5 pts

! Returning the pipe model – 5 pts.  If you don’t return the pipe, you will lose the 5 pts, and also owe $1.00 to Mrs. Mikkelson.  (**there was labor time involved with supplying these pipes.)

! Distance Your Rocket Traveled = 12 Points Total

! Less than 20 meters – 6 points

! 20 to 30 meters – 8 points

! 30 – 40 meters – 10 points

! 40 – 50 meters – 12 points

(3 points will be given for participation and following directions on the launch pad. Negative 5 points will be given if you are asked more that once on the launch pad to listen and follow directions.  Basically, if you are goofing off when you need to listen to the launch director.  Bottom line:   Please make this an enjoyable experience for you and your classmates.

Total of 50 Points

45 – 50 = A

40 – 44 = B

35 – 39 = C

30 – 34 = D

Below 29 = F

Turned in late, see syllabus for late work.