Free lessons · Grades 6–8 · 9 lessons · Washington science standards
Rockets: middle school track
Nine lessons, about 55–60 minutes each, plus a launch day. Built on the Washington State K–12 Science Learning Standards (the NGSS). Goes with Rocket Builder by Quiver Design Works (rocket.quiverdesignworks.net), in Beginner mode first and Advanced mode from Lesson 6.
Students investigate forces, stability, drag, motors and energy with paper rockets, then design a rocket in Rocket Builder, 3D-print it (or order it printed) and fly it on a real model rocket motor. Adults handle all motors and igniters, every time, under the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code. Motor flights and kits are rated 12+: students under 12 (some 6th graders) do every lesson and take launch-day jobs (tracker, recorder, countdown caller), and keep their designs on screen.
The learning pathway
- Forces and motion
- 1Newton's three lawsBalloon rocket: more mass, same pushAdult: Order the pad, controller, wadding and motors
- 2Forces in flightForce diagrams; straw rockets and launch angle
- Flying straight
- Energy and design
- 5Motors, impulse and energyMotor codes, impulse math, energy storyAdult: Find a field or a NAR club launch
- 6Designing with a modelOne-variable design log, decision tableAdult: Start printing (hours per part)
- Landing and launch
- 7Parachutes and landing energyDrop test; kinetic energy graphsAdult: Assemble with an adult
- 8Launch prepNAR code, misfire drill, inclinometer, preflightAdult: Pick a backup launch day
- 9Launch day and mission reportAdult-run launch; tracking; report
Things an adult does ahead of time.
Lessons at a glance
| Lesson | Big idea | Hands-on | Rocket Builder | Worksheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newton's three laws | Balloon rocket: more mass, same push | First look, ▶ Watch it launch | W1 |
| 2 | Forces in flight | Force diagrams; straw rockets and launch angle | Flight phases; power bar (thrust ÷ weight) | W2 |
| 3 | Stability: CG and CP | Balance point, cut-out CP, swing-test demo | Blue and red dots, fin shapes | W3 |
| 4 | Drag and shape | Nose-cone and fin tests | Nose shapes (Advanced: drag coefficient) | W4 |
| 5 | Motors, impulse and energy | Motor codes, impulse math, energy story | How high will it go? | W5, W5b |
| 6 | Designing with a model | One-variable design log, decision table | Beginner, then Advanced custom fins; save; 12+ download | W6 |
| 7 | Parachutes and landing energy | Drop test; kinetic energy graphs | Which parachute?, drift | W7 |
| 8 | Launch prep | NAR code, misfire drill, inclinometer, preflight | How big a launch field? | W8, T, W8b, W8c |
| 9 | Launch day and mission report | Adult-run launch; tracking; report | Predicted altitude | F, W9, C |
Plan ahead (adult): order the pad and controller, wadding and motors in Lesson 1; find a field (or a local NAR club launch) by Lesson 5; start printing in Lesson 6 (several hours per part); assemble with an adult before Lesson 8; pick a backup launch day.
Short on time? Lessons 1+2, 3+4 and 7+8 combine into single long blocks (keep the balloon rocket, the swing test demo, the nose-cone test, the drop test and the inclinometer).
Standards map
| Standard | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS-PS2-1 | |||||||||
| MS-PS2-2 | |||||||||
| MS-PS2-4 | |||||||||
| MS-PS3-1 | |||||||||
| MS-PS3-2 | |||||||||
| MS-PS3-5 | |||||||||
| MS-ETS1-1 | |||||||||
| MS-ETS1-2 | |||||||||
| MS-ETS1-3 | |||||||||
| MS-ETS1-4 |
Codes are the Washington State K–12 Science Learning Standards adopted in 2013 (the NGSS performance expectations); see Standards for the full text, sources, and the matching codes in the new WA Science 2026 draft. "Connection" means the lesson builds toward the PE but doesn't meet all of it.
| Lesson | Performance expectations | Science and engineering practice | Crosscutting concept | Math / ELA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Newton's laws | MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-1 (third law, partial) | Planning and carrying out investigations | Cause and effect | 6.SP.B.5 |
| 2 Forces in flight | MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4 (connection) | Developing and using models | Systems and system models | 6.RP.A.3 |
| 3 Stability | MS-ETS1-3, MS-PS2-2 | Analyzing and interpreting data | Stability and change | 6.EE.A.2 |
| 4 Drag and shape | MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3 | Analyzing and interpreting data | Structure and function | 6.SP.B.4 |
| 5 Motors and energy | MS-PS2-2, MS-PS3-5, MS-PS3-2 (connection) | Using mathematics and computational thinking | Energy and matter | 6.RP.A.3, 6.EE.A.2 |
| 6 Design with a model | MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-4 | Developing and using models | Systems and system models | 8.SP.A.1 |
| 7 Parachutes | MS-PS3-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-3 | Analyzing and interpreting data | Scale, proportion and quantity | 7.RP.A.2 |
| 8 Launch prep | MS-ETS1-1, MS-PS2-2 | Planning and carrying out investigations | Scale, proportion and quantity | 7.G.A.1, 7.RP.A.2 |
| 9 Launch day | MS-ETS1-4, MS-ETS1-3, MS-PS3-2 (connection) | Analyzing data; communicating information | Systems and system models | 7.RP.A.3, 6.SP.B.5, WHST.6-8.2, SL.6.4–SL.8.4 |
Disciplinary core ideas: PS2.A Forces and motion (Lessons 1–5, 7), PS2.B Types of interactions (2), PS3.A Definitions of energy and PS3.C Relationship between energy and forces (5, 7, 9), ETS1.A–C Engineering design (3, 4, 6–9).
WA Science 2026 key experiences: student-led investigations (Lessons 1, 4, 7), student-led engineering design (6, 9) and science outdoors (8, 9).
Materials and costs
Household and classroom items cover Lessons 1–8: balloons, string, straws, paper, cardstock, tape, paper-towel tubes, modeling clay, plastic bags, washers, stopwatches, a tape measure, protractors, calculators, a kitchen scale, and safety glasses for everyone ($2–3 each in class sets). Rough 2026 US prices for the printed rocket:
| Item | Notes | About |
|---|---|---|
| PLA filament | 50–100 g per rocket | $1–3 per rocket |
| Launch pad and controller | With a safety key and launch rod; a club launch provides these | $35–50 |
| Model rocket motors (3-pack) | The size your design needs (M13, M18, M24 or M29); often with igniters | $14–25 a pack |
| Recovery wadding | Flame-resistant | $5 |
| Parachute | The size the app says, often 12–18 in | $5–12 |
| Shock cord | Braided flat elastic | $5–8 |
No printer? Rocket Builder can order the rocket printed (an adult needs an account).
Rocket Builder: Beginner, then Advanced
- Lessons 1–5, Beginner: the walk-through covers motor size, rocket height, fins and nose (the printer height is one line above Build my rocket; "Not sure" fits most printers). Students read the stability score, the blue (CG) and red (CP) dots, the power bar, How high will it go? and Which parachute?, and press ▶ Watch it launch.
- Lesson 6 on, Advanced: custom fin size, drag coefficient, wall thickness and the full report with key dimensions (CG and CP distances). The motor table under Grown-up details lists every motor for the size with a ✓ for those that pass.
- Saved designs keep their link; an account (adult, or 13+) keeps them across devices.
A note on the numbers
They match Rocket Builder: stability 1–2 cal is ideal, under 1 is too wobbly to download, over 3 is over-stable; thrust at least 5 times the weight; at least 15 m/s off the rod; at least 30 m high so the parachute can open; a parachute that brings the rocket down at about 3–5 m/s. The app's numbers are estimates. Comparing them with the real flight is the point of Lesson 9.
Worksheets
The middle-school worksheets (US Letter): W1–W9, the inclinometer template, safety stories and launch checklists, the flight log, the mission report planner and rubric, quick checks and answer keys. Print at 100%.
Further resources
- Apogee Components, Teach with Model Rockets: free grade 5–8 lessons (Rockets and the Third Law, Rocket Optimization, Fins and Finish Lines, The Optimum Descent Challenge), the Rocketry Reservoir handout pack, Tracking Model Rockets, and tips for running a class launch. They're written for kit rockets and the older National Science Education Standards; the lessons above note where each fits.
- National Association of Rocketry: nar.org for the safety code and club launches.