Free lessons · Grades 3–8 · Washington science standards
Rockets and Model Rocketry
Free rocket science lessons in two versions: one for elementary school and one for middle school. Each lesson lists its Washington K–12 Science Learning Standards (NGSS), "I can…" goals, materials, steps, a quick check with answers and teacher notes, with printable worksheets.
- Balloon and straw rocketsLessons 1–3
- Fins and balanceLesson 4
- Design and test a stomp rocketLessons 5–6
- ParachutesLesson 7
- Launch dayLesson 8
Paper and air only. Rocket Builder on the projector.
- Forces with paper rocketsLessons 1–4
- Motors and energyLesson 5
- Design in Rocket BuilderLesson 6
- Print and build (12+)Lessons 6–8
- Adult-run launch and reportLesson 9
Real motors, always handled by an adult.
Which track?
| Elementary, grades 3–5 | Middle school, grades 6–8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons | 8 lessons, about 45 minutes each | 9 lessons, about 55–60 minutes each, plus a launch day |
| Rockets students fly | Balloon, straw and stomp rockets (paper and air only) | Paper rockets in class, then a 3D-printed rocket on a real motor, launched by an adult |
| Rocket Builder | A class tool on a projector or tablets, Beginner mode, on screen only | Beginner, then Advanced; download and print (12+) |
| 3D-printed rocket | Optional instructor demo | Designed, printed, built and flown |
| Big ideas | Pushes and pulls, gravity, patterns, fins, fair tests, parachutes, speed and energy | Newton's laws, net force and mass, stability, drag, impulse and energy, design with a model, kinetic energy, measuring height |
| Standards | 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2, 4-PS3-1, 5-PS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-1 to 3 | MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4, MS-PS3-1, MS-PS3-2, MS-PS3-5, MS-ETS1-1 to 4 |
Safety firstModel rocket motors and Rocket Builder kits are rated 12+. Under 12, students fly paper and air rockets only and use Rocket Builder on screen. In the middle-school track, adults handle all rocket motors and igniters, every time, following the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code.
Mixed ages or home school? Run the elementary lessons together, and give older students the middle-school worksheets and the printed rocket. Each track has its own safety page.
Use it with Rocket Builder
Rocket Builder is the free web app these lessons use. It runs in the browser on a computer or tablet, with no account or install.
A class tool on the projector
Build a rocket, point at the blue balance point and the red push point, and press ▶ Watch it launch. On screen only.
Design, print and fly (12+)
Beginner mode first, then Advanced. Download and 3D-print the rocket (or order it printed) and fly it with an adult handling the motor.