Future NASA Spacecrafts

FUTURE NASA SPACECRAFTS

Electronic Portfolio Artifacts by Steve Heck

LESSON PLAN: FUTURE NASA SPACEFLIGHT SPACECRAFT

OBJECTIVES:1. Physical Needs of Astronauts2. Teach Physical Science Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching5. Resources from NASA – Classroom

This year, I was moved to the elementary level to help revitalize the science program. I used our class, Human Space Flight, to do just that. I developed this STEM lesson to start that process and to excite my class. It accomplished both

(See video titled – Mulberry Rockets)

This lesson meets all of our course objectives. It addresses the basic physical needs of astronauts (spacecraft to reach space safely). Physical science concepts like Newton's Laws are developed. In the Design Process , new and innovative spacecraft designs are developed. Key components of the lesson are the use of technology (wind tunnel and NASA computer Applets) to design and redesign spacecrafts.

Students were exposed to a variety of NASA resources.

ASSESSMENTS / EVALUATIONS

OBJECTIVES:1. Teach Physical Science Concepts2. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching

Students used this form to evaluate their spacecraft. They had to submit two drawings, one freehand and the other a scale-model drawing.

They were to test and evaluate their design in the wind tunnel and on a practice flight.

They soon discovered how Newton’s Laws and Aerodynamic Principles of Flight affected the designs and re-designs of spacecrafts.

This was the first time most students were able to accomplish this concept and were able to apply these concept and principles in a hands-on environment.

TEST AND EVALUATION - ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES:1. Teach Physical Science Concepts2. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching3. Resources from NASA – Classroom

Wind tunnel testing was great. Each student or team of students were given time in the wind tunnel to test and evaluate their spacecraft. To most students, this was a first. They had a great time.

The spacecraft were subjected to different levels of forces within the wind tunnel. Changes in masses were recorded and analyzed before the test flight

The wind tunnel design comes from NASA’s Rocket Educator Guide.

Students used NASA Rocket Applet to also test and evaluate their designs.

STUDENT SELF-EVALUATION - ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES:1. Teach Physical Science Concepts2. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching

Each student and team were required to self-evaluate their daily performance.

This was new to many students and improved each day. At times they were more critical than I would have been.

By the end of the project, they took complete ownership.

They made great strides in understanding “Physical Science Concepts”. The video points out just how good a few of my students developed.

Students have requested using this assessment on all projects.

STUDENT RESEARCH - TECHNOLOGY


Using NASA Resources, students were able to research, test and evaluate their spacecraft designs.

Their designs demonstrated what astronauts will need in the future by looking at past models and futuristic designs.

They applied Newton’s Laws and Aerodynamic Principles to their models.

The use of technology was a must to complete the project.

They excelled in the challenges they were presented

Continued on next slide:

INQUIRY BASED


Students applied concepts recently covered in their Math Investigations class.

Inquiry based objectives were used to not only challenge students but to also inspirer students to excel … great motivation to build a spacecraft that would fly higher and farther than the rest.

Use of NASA Resources added great credibility to the overall lesson and excited the students. In free time, they are going back to the Websites and Applets.

Physical needs of future astronauts were discussed on a daily basis . Especially true after the wind tunnel and first test flight were accomplished. Some design just didn’t “fly safe”

DESIGN PROCESS – STUDENT CONCEPTS

OBJECTIVES:1. Physical Needs of Astronauts2. Teach Physical Science

Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight

Students building their spacecrafts.

After students submitted their scale- model drawing, they began the process of building the future NASA spacecraft.

Some designs incorporated drawings from NASA Websites (past and future NASA spacecrafts). Others were of their own concept and design.

Each spacecraft was designed to carry astronauts into orbit safely .

Each used research (Physical Science) for development.

BEGINNINGS OF THE DESIGN PROCESS – TEACHER CONCEPT


Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight4. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching5. Resources from NASA –

Classroom

These teacher designs were shown and discussed with students only during the final review day.

I went through the same process as the students and showed them my results.

To a few of them they were surprised to see their designs looked pretty much like mine.

They were interested in my set backs and my reasons for redesign.

WIND TUNNEL DEVELOPMENT


Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight4. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching5. Resources from NASA –

Classroom

NASA designed vertical wind tunnel.

This wind tunnel is shown in its developmental stages to it’s setup in the schools project lab.

Design is from NASA’s Educator Guide to Rockets. Construction cost @ 65.00 to complete.

This is a first in our school district and my students take great pride in being the first class to use it.

WIND TUNNEL TESTING BY STUDENTS

OBJECTIVES:1. Teach Physical Science Concepts2. Future of Human Spaceflight3. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching4. Resources from NASA – Classroom

This shows actual testing of student in the wind tunnel.

Students were required to fill out data recording sheets. They were to analyze their data prior to redesigning their spacecrafts.

Data sheets were used as an assessment of student knowledge of the concepts discussed in class and on their overall design

NASA Applet on Rockets was also used as a resource.

Continued on next slide:

FINAL DESIGNS - STUDENTS

OBJECTIVES:1. Physical Needs of Astronauts2. Teach Physical Science Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight4. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching

Students showing off their spacecraft after wind tunnel testing.

Next step is for a redesign, if needed.

Students were then allowed to flight test their spacecraft.

Wind tunnel test data sheets are also shown.

FINAL DESIGNS - STUDENTS

OBJECTIVES:1. Physical Needs of Astronauts2. Teach Physical Science Concepts3. Future of Human Spaceflight4. Inquiry/Technology Based

Teaching

More student spacecrafts with wind tunnel data sheets.

Sizes, shapes, and design characteristics varied greatly. Students discovered what worked and what needed to be redesigned.

Simpler designs had less problems with stability, but as some students noted, “they don’t look as cool, they don’t look like Star Wars or Star Trek”.

Final preparations were then made for our launch day.

FINAL DESIGNS - TEACHER


Teacher final designs are shown at the left.

One is a “Goddard Rocket” Design

One is a “NASA Shuttle” design

One is an XCOR – Lynx design (XCOR is a commercial sub-orbital company

The best flights were by the “NASA Shuttle”

FLIGHTS


Here is where it all came together. LAUNCH DAY

Students launch the final spacecraft designs.

Each student was given the opportunity to launch three times taking their best launch for the record.

We then critiqued each others flight and the lessons learned.

An exceptional class … excited and motivated students.

All lesson/project objectives met.

Documents

Future NASA Spacecrafts