Part of Lesson Plan: It Really is Rocket Science Part 3

Activity Overview / Details

There are several good progrms for designing model rockets. I recommend RockSim by Apogee. It is relatively easy to use and there are tutorials available. Most model rocket teams use this program to design their competition rockets. Below is a link to a free 30-day trial version.

Demonstrate for students how to design a rocket. Start with the components such as the body tube and nose cone. You select these from drop down menus. Of course, the body tube and nose cone should be the same diameter. As you choose components, a simple line drawing of your assembled parts appears at the bottom of the page. Next add fins. Add an engine, also called a motor. Remember to put in a motor mount! That is a little piece that goes in the body tube to hold the motor in place. Try to launch the rocket. If it is won't launch because it is unstable, you must change the fins.

Let the students experiment with it. Observe as they work and tell them you want to see it when they get there rocket to launch.