Ms. Sanzenbacher, Science Instructional Leader and Ms. Ehrlich-Menard, Performing Arts Teacher
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the 8th grade Physics Unit.
Eighth grade students have spent the last month engaging in scientific exploration and problem solving akin to aerospace engineers. First, students watched videos to learn about NASA's Mars Science Laboratory missions and explore how to send humans to Mars. After seeing real world application of the unit’s concepts, students were given what might seem like a very simple challenge: design and build a space shuttle that can launch a raw egg as high as possible AND return it safely to the ground. This challenge is carefully scaffolded into smaller problems and engineering challenges that all build to the final space shuttle design.
In each phase, students work with a different partner to run experiments that focus on a specific element of the larger challenge. Throughout the successive challenges, they have conducted experiments to test the padding and parachutes needed to safely land the egg, measured the amount of fuel required to achieve maximum shuttle height, and evaluated various designs to determine which provides the most stable flight path. In order to test their hypotheses, students had to learn Newton’s laws of motion, apply math to a practical problem, and develop their skills in engineering, scientific writing, and analytical skills to understand the key concepts of rocket science. Furthermore, the continued rotation of partners provides students with the opportunity to work on communication and collaboration.
Students are excited to continue their experiments and pull their knowledge together for their final launch this November. Stay tuned for the results!