Model Rocket Education

Most rocketeers are introduced to model rockets at an early age, and many keep that passion a lifetime and pass it along to their own children. This has been the history of model rocketry. A rocketry program is perfect for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, school field days, summer camps, church youth group outings, birthday parties, to simply introducing your own child to rocketry.

As such, most every model rocket kit is designed with the student in mind. Most kits are fairly easy to build and are designed for stable flight. The come with detailed instructions on how to build the model rocket and how to launch the rocket safely.

The lessons that can be taught through a model rocketry program are plentiful. First, the building of the rocket teaches basic modeling skills such as following directions, preparing a model for assembly, how to glue a project together, and much more. The launching of the rocket teaches safety since a model rocket engine must be treated with respect. Advanced lessons can be taught in aerodynamics, geometry, algebra, and physics.

What an Educator Can do with Model Rocketry

• Provide a high energy 'catalyst' that combines units in science with developments in space - bring the space age into your classroom.
• Provide a flexible medium that will engage your students' creativity in several areas including: social sciences, reading, crafts, technology and science.
• Introduce an affordable 'technology in miniature' that will acquaint your students with technical concepts, terms and techniques at a time when the lack of technical literacy has become a major educational concern.
• Foster a close co-investigator relationship between you and your students, one that usually grows from year to year.
• Create interest in your students to pursue engineering and science studies, perhaps to a professional level.
• Provide an easy to use framework to develop your students' ability to properly design, conduct and report experimental investigations.
• Make unique and captivating learning opportunities for those students who have become disinterested in traditional school activities.
• Offer practical opportunities for learning disabled students. Accurately make assessments as to your students' progress through the unit.
• Expand your curriculum from basic introduction through more advanced topics.
• Provide an excellent culmination of activities in the spring by staging a 'Launch Day'.
• Involve community and media during launch day and give your class a chance to shine!
• Experience the sense of accomplishment that develops as the students progress from an assemblage of parts and ideas to a successfully flying model rocket.

Student Benefits from Model Rocketry

• Development of real connections between theory and hands-on applications in science, math and technology.
• Encouragement to actively play a role in ALL phases of rocket construction, launch and experiment development.
• Development of greater psycho-motor skills.
• Improvement of spatial relations and conceptual thinking skills.
• An opportunity to demonstrate expertise and knowledge before one's instructors and peers.
• To gain experience in designing, conducting and reporting basic experimental investigations.
• Enhancement of self-image through successful accomplishments.
• Improvement of cooperative skills in group activities.
• Development of greater awareness for safety and attention to detail.
• Having a memorable and positive experience during the learning process.

Support Materials

The model rocket manufacturer Estes provides free educational material about model rocketry and model rocket education. Over 30 separate educational items are available, and include the following:

• General Teaching Guides
• Teacher Materials
• Student Lessons
• Technical Guides
• Estes Product Information

Catalog Items

• while most rocketry items are ready to teaching, these are some designed specifically for educational settings.