Launching Into Physics: Engineering Solutions to Newton's Laws
Kimberly Hedges
ID-126
School Name:Corkscrew Middle
Grant Request Grade:8
Grant Request Subject:Science
Additional Details
To demonstrate understanding of the principles of balanced and unbalanced forces, Law of Universal Gravitation, and Newton’s Law of Motion through a cooperative and problem-solving project in which eighth grade students will design, build, and launch a water rocket.
During semester two the 8th science students at Corkscrew Middle School will participate in this inquiry based project in which they will work in cooperative groups of 2 to 4 designing, revising, building, and testing a water rocket.
Through this inquiry-based initiative, students will demonstrate their mastery of Florida’s Physical Science Standards—specifically focusing on Big Idea 13: Forces and Changes in Motion. This project shifts the curriculum from abstract textbook modeling to an interactive, experiential framework, culminating in a unique opportunity to expand the learning environment outdoors. By designing, prototyping, and constructing their own operational launch vehicles, students will shift from passive observers to active stakeholders, significantly increasing their intrinsic motivation and personal investment in their own scientific discovery. Furthermore, students will connect physical forces to observable outcomes by measuring the structural success of their rockets using precise flight tracking. By timing and recording the exact duration of airtime from immediate takeoff to final landing, student teams will gather raw data to analyze the balance of thrust, gravity, and drag forces acting on their rockets.
The requested funding will be used to establish a reusable, high-safety classroom rocketry laboratory kit for the 8th-grade science department at Corkscrew Middle School.
While students will provide the primary structural bodies of the rockets using upcycled 2-liter soda bottles, funding is required to procure specialized engineering equipment that cannot be fabricated in a standard classroom. These items will allow students to safely pressurize their vehicles, precisely manipulate experimental variables, and gather accurate data to analyze forces and changes in motion.
Because the core launch infrastructure is highly durable, this grant represents a long-term investment. The equipment purchased will be preserved and reused to benefit multiple classes of 8th-grade science students for several consecutive school years.
Funds will be used for the following rocketry laboratory kit:
1. Commercial Water Rocket Launchers- 3
2. Heavy-Duty Bicycle Floor Pumps with Integrated Pressure Gauges- 5
3. Handheld Digital Stopwatches- 60
4. AltiTrack Altitude Tracker 3
5. Heavy-Duty Construction Materials Kit-Duct Tape, heavy card stock, foam sheets, hot glue
6. Rocket Parachutes
1800.00
AquaPort II Water Rocket Launcher
825.00
Estes - 2232 AltiTrack Altitude Tracker
71.88
XUXU 3 Pack Duct Tape Heavy Duty Waterproof, Strong Adhesive Silver Duct Tape Bulk for Indoor Outdoor Repairs Tear by Hand, 60 Yards x 2 Inch Total
29.97
20 Pack White Foam Board 12" x 16.5", 3/16" Thickness Foam Core Baking Board for Projects, A3 Polystyrene Mat Board Poster Foam Board Sheets for Art Crafts, Presentation, Wedding, School Projects
119.94
10 Pack Mini Hot Glue Gun with 50 Glue Sticks, 5 Colors Mini Hot Glue Gun Set, Small Hot Glue Gun Kit with Storage Box for Crafts & School
