HARNASSING UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WITH MODEL ROCKETRY

Pathways for Exploration

If you’ve been using model rocketry in your club or classroom then you have a pretty good idea how this tool fits with your overall goals. For those who are new to using model rocketry (and everyone has to start somewhere so don’t worry if this is you!) it is important to review some of the roles model rocketry can play in helping you achieve your primary objectives.

For elementary school educators who teach in a classroom setting model rocketry can be a fantastic tool to reward class achievements or inspire group participation. Often educators use previously built models as classroom props throughout the school year (calculating the volumes of various model rockets has a much larger “cool factor” than you would ever believe!). While flying conditions in winter weather are not ideal (although for some it's never to cold to launch) constructing and finishing model rockets is an activity that is well suited for those days when the weather prohibits outdoor activities.

Classroom educators working with older grades often find that a model rocketry project is a great way to inspire students to participate in classroom science fairs, to explore pivotal moments in history or to excel while examining special projects in algebra and geometry. Students in older grades are often fascinated by scale rockets (miniature working cousins of the real thing).

We’ve often heard of educators who will construct a scale model kit over the course of a school year; using the various stages of completion as a starting point to introduce other subjects. The results can be amazing; teachers are able to use the model as a tool to attract interest and establish a focus while giving their students the opportunity to witness the results that can be obtained through proper planning and execution.

Moving Out of the Classroom

Model rocketry projects have long been a mainstay activity for educators in summer youth programs, afterschool clubs and Scouting troups wishing to teach both basic and advanced skills to their students. In less “formal” settings such as these educators can take advantage of the full range of educational subjects that can be reached through model rocketry (if you are stuck for ideas be sure to read the Field Notes section entitled “What do you want to do today?”).

One of the really exciting prospects is the use of model rocketry as the anchor for a program which explores general concepts and topics in science. Programs such as these are perfect for situations requiring a flexible content that can be easily taught to students of varying ages and abilities. In addition these programs can often be implemented by staff who are neither science majors nor model rocket specialists themselves.

From Albany, NY to Seattle, WA educators use model rocketry as an effective tool to explore a wide range of subjects. And - just as no two students are ever the same - neither are the ways that educators have found to use model rocketry to inspire their students to succeed, explore and grow.