Incredible, Awesome, Amazing video from NASA during shuttle launch

This is just an incredible and amazing video from NASA that was taken using camera's on the Solid Rocket Boosters of the Space Shuttle during a launch. There is even sound, and some comments on the video. The video also shows the time in the upper left corner and the speed on the upper right corner.

There are multiple camera's used and the sound is very interesting to listen too.

This is one of those videos that is a great resource to get kids interested and excited about something.






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NASA PlanetQuest - The Search for Another Earth - great for science classes

NASA PlanetQuest is a very interesting site from NASA that has links and resources about NASA's search for new planets outside of our solar system. There are multimedia resources, links, videos, photos, news, blogs from scientists, and much more.

The site also has six very cool interactives that would be great in the classroom: Extreme Planet Makeover (create your own planet), PlanetQuest timeline (history of exoplanet speculation and exploration), Alien Safari (learn about bizarre and extreme organisms found on Earth), Interstellar Trip Planner (plan a trip to outer space), Alien Fact or Fiction quiz, and 3D Guide to the Galaxy, which lets you explore our galaxy in 3D. These are fun and educational and can be used in a variety of classrooms as projects.

There is also a page on Education that includes more resources and links to learn more about space exploration and the search for planets.

This is another excellent resource from NASA.



Check it out: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/



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Rockets Project a Success! Fun day launching today

I love rockets. My Bachelor's degree is in Aerospace Engineering and I've been interested in rockets since I was a kid. My dad worked on the main engines for the Saturn V rocket when he worked at Pratt & Whitney as a chemist, I've designed and manufactured parts for the space program as an engineer, and my senior project in college was designing a two-state-to-orbit space vehicle (and we got to work with NASA engineers on the project - very cool!). I've found that all kids seem to have some interest in rockets and I use that as a great end-of-the-year project in my physics class.

Today was Rocket Launch Day for my Physics classes. It's the finale to their last project of the year. We launch their rockets multiple times, even having a little fun and doing modifications to the fins and rocket to see what happens. It was slightly overcast with 5-10 mph wind out of the SouthEast, but we only lost two rockets into the trees near the field. We use A8-3 and B6-4 engines, with average impulses of 2.5 N-s and 5 N-s and maximum thrust of 10 N and 12 N, respectively. Average altitudes for these rockets are between 150 and 300 feet.

Here are some pictures some students took from today's launches.

A couple of the students jump when the 1st rocket launches

That's me at the launch controls. 

Their end of the year project is to research, design, build, analyze, and launch model rockets. The project combines physics concepts from throughout the year (stress, stability, aerodynamics, Newton's Laws and Forces, energy, impulse, matter and chemical energy, fluids and more) as well as helping students to continue to build their teamwork, communications, and problem solving skills. They have to use physics concepts to predict the altitude the rocket will go (based on mass, aerodynamics, forces and impulse). We then use trackers to measure the angle for the rockets, and knowing the distance the trackers are from the launch pad they can use trigonometry to find the actual altitude. They then have to complete a project report with all of their design information, calculations, analysis, and why their predicted and actual altitudes were different (usually are) along with any issues they had.

It's a great project to end the year. They learn and have fun all at the same time.

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I found a great resource from NASA - The Rockets Educator Guide - that includes lesson plans and activity ideas. NASA's site is a great resource for this type of project. This guide has some great activities like rockets using film canisters, baking soda, and vinegar, paper rockets, altitude trackers and more. There is even a part on the history of rockets.

The students start the whole unit with a WebQuest on NASA's site about rockets - NASA's Beginners Guide to Rockets: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/index.html This site helps them tie all the physics concepts together and apply them to rockets. It also explains how model rockets work, from the engine propellant and nozzle, to the recovery system and ignition system.

You can extend the unit and do more activities from the educators guide. You can also have students research space missions, current spacecraft, and the future of space travel.

Discovery Education Streaming has some great videos and resources, including the "NASA at 50", "Bill Nye Great Inventions" and "When We Left The Earth: The NASA Mission" series.

The students learn a lot, see an application of what they have learned, work as a team, and have some fun. It's a great way to end the year.

Topics in this unit:
history of rockets
transportation
energy transformations
fluid dynamics
thermodynamics
aerodynamics
chemistry of solid fuel engines
stability
Newton's Laws
Gravity
air resistance

Skills:
Teamwork
communication
reading comprehension
manual dexterity
application of knowledge
problem solving
math

Resources needed:
computer with internet to connect to NASA website
NASA Rockets Educator Guide - free
Model rocket kits, engines, and launcher (available from a variety of companies and suppliers. I use Estes).
(funding for these supplies have been through Donor's Choose and an Air Force Association classroom grant).

Rockets resources:

NASA's Beginners Guide to Rockets: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/index.html

Estes Model Rockets - Educator Page: http://www.esteseducator.com/

Apogee Rockets - http://www.apogeerockets.com/ (click on "Educational")

National Association of Rocketry: http://www.nar.org/teacher.html

Fly Rockets: http://www.flyrockets.com/

NASA Educator's Resource Centers http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/learning/F_Educator_Resource_Center_Network.html

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NASA Speakers Bureau - free guest speakers for your class

As a science teacher, NASA is an incredible resource for me. NASA has tons of great, free, educational resources that are also good for any subject.

NASA also has a speakers bureau that will provide engineers, scientists, and other professionals to speak to audiences around the country. You can also request an astronaut to come and speak to your class. It is free, but there are some conditions. It is an easy process.

Have some exciting, knowledgeable speakers come to your school, for free, and educate and motivate your students.



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Space Shuttle - free detailed panoramic images of Discovery available from NatGeo

The NASA Space Shuttle is retired and the fleet is being sent to museums for display. National Geographic is releasing some very cool, detailed, panoramic images of Discovery.  You can see a few of them below. These are a great way to explore the space shuttles and learn more about them.

To provide an unprecedented look at Discovery and the other retired space shuttles, both inside and out, photographers with National Geographic recently captured more than two dozen ultrahigh-resolution, 360-degree pictures of each orbiter.

See 360-degree HD panorama: space shuttle mid-deck >>

See 360-degree HD panorama: space shuttle's belly >>

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NASA Rockets Educator Guide - updated and free - great resource

NASA is an excellent resource for educators with sites, lesson resources, and more available.

One of the resources I really like, and use each year, is the Rockets Educator Guide. NASA has recently updated it with some new information and materials. It's available as a free PDF download here.

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The NASA - The Rockets Educator Guide includes lesson plans and activity ideas. This guide has some great activities like rockets using film canisters, baking soda, and vinegar, paper rockets, altitude trackers and more. There is even a part on the history of rockets.

I use this at the end of the year in a project on Rockets, combining topics from throughout the year in a fun project.

Here's more on the project: http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/rockets-great-project-for-end-of-year.html


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