Classroom Science Experiments for the Space Age

Are you looking for some topics to present that can add

excitement to your science classroom? Rocketry and space

exploration, like no other theme, has a way of captivating

students that make it easier for them to learn science. They

have so much fun they don’t even realize that

they are learning basic science concepts.

To take advantage of the benefits of this study area, you can use

your school computer to explore many different sciences

topics. In the January 2005 issue of Education Magazine,

“Tech Directions” (http://www.techdirections.com), there are

an article by Spencer C. Wilson of JR Fugett Middle School

in West Chester. In it, he describes how he uses a rocket.

design software, called RockSim (http://www.rocksim.com) for

show students the engineering design process.

In this article, I would like to give you some other ideas about

how to use model rocket design software to demonstrate

other basic scientific concepts. Here are some benefits to

using RockSim software:

1. Allow the student to simulate hundreds of rocket flights.

very quickly – this saves a lot of money! Just think about him

time also saved. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars

buying engines and hours and hours building different

rocket configurations, launch, recovery and repackaging

to test a control function.

2. Security. When you go out to fly rockets, knowing how

will behave is an important aspect of safety. Precautions

It can be made. By running simulations, students learn

what concepts help keep the actual launch safe.

3. The scientific value is staggering. Every launch simulation

generates a mountain of useful data. Analyzing this data is

a great way to teach the scientific method.

4. Students love software because it is fun! It has features

like a video game, so students may not realize how much

they are learning at the same time.

5. The RockSim software is the same tool you use

true rocketry professionals, such as NASA, military

contractors and universities. So you can trust

the results you get from the program.

6. The software allows students to explore their creativity.

They can design models with a very different appearance, while

learn engineering skills, assembly steps, and physics.

These are just a few of the many topics you can explore

RockSim:

1. Aerodynamics and reduced drag.

2. Forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust and gravity.

3. Projectile movement.

4. Rocket propulsion used for space travel.

5. Atmospheric studies: how does temperature and pressure influence?

affect performance?

6. Planetary differences: how does the same rocket behave?

on different planets in our solar system.

7. Dynamics and harmonic movement with damping.

8. Engineering: how the pieces fit together.

9. Newton’s Laws of Motion.

10. Artistic expression: because each student can design a

rocket look different, and change the colors of the

components to further increase the uniqueness of the rocket.

11. Explain distance, velocity, and acceleration.

12. Material properties, such as density and volume.

13. The importance of weight and balance (CG position) when

designing rockets.

14. Explain that Work = Force X Distance.

15. Explain the concepts of kinetic and potential energy.

16. Shows free fall and terminal velocity.

17. The importance of units and unit conversion.

18. The importance of following directions.

19. Data export and use of spreadsheet programs to perform

data reduction and manipulation

20. Show why group and multistage motor rockets are

used in real rockets.

21. Concept of stored chemical energy (in the rocket

propellant) and how it is converted into mechanical energy.

22. Concept of efficiency: getting the most out of it

from the least effort of energy. It can be explained by the

different types of propellant formulations.

23. Show the concept of momentum and how it affects

optimal rocket mass.

24. Find the optimal launch angle for windy conditions.

25. Optimum launch angle for distance (ballistic curves),

and how it varies with the engine thrust curve.

26. Show how the mass distribution affects the dynamics.

rocket stability.

27. Demonstrate the concept of “numerical precision”: the

the more iterations performed, the better the precision.

28. Show how components of different shapes affect statics.

rocket stability.

29. Compare the thrust curves of different engines. This can

show how the different geometries (hole size, location,

dimensions) affect the thrust produced by the rocket.

30. Concept of “momentum”: which is a multiplied pushing force

for the duration of time the thrust is created. The higher the

boost, the more power the engine has.

As you can see, the RockSim software is a versatile tool.

You will save hundreds of dollars because it can be used in a

Variety of shapes.