1. Electronic Portfolio Artifactsby Steve Heck

2. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom This year, I was moved to the elementary level to help revitalize the science program. I used our class, Human Space Flight, to do just that. I developed this STEM lesson to start that process and to excite my class. It accomplished both (See video titled – Mulberry Rockets) This lesson meets all of our course objectives. It addresses the basic physical needs of astronauts (spacecraft to reach space safely). Physical science concepts like Newton's Laws are developed. In the Design Process, new and innovative spacecraft designs are developed. Key components of the lesson are the use of technology (wind tunnel and NASA computer Applets) to design and redesign spacecrafts. Students were exposed to a variety of NASA resources.

3. OBJECTIVES: 1. Teach Physical Science Concepts 2. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching Students used this form to evaluate their spacecraft. They had to submit two drawings, one freehand and the other a scale-model drawing. They were to test and evaluate their design in the wind tunnel and on a practice flight. They soon discovered how Newton’s Laws and Aerodynamic Principles of Flight affected the designs and re-designs of spacecrafts. This was the first time most students were able to accomplish this concept and were able to apply these concept and principles in a hands- on environment.

4. OBJECTIVES: 1. Teach Physical Science Concepts 2. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 3. Resources from NASA – Classroom Wind tunnel testing was great. Each student or team of students were given time in the wind tunnel to test and evaluate their spacecraft. To most students, this was a first. They had a great time. The spacecraft were subjected to different levels of forces within the wind tunnel. Changes in masses were recorded and analyzed before the test flight The wind tunnel design comes from NASA’s Rocket Educator Guide. Students used NASA Rocket Applet to also test and evaluate their designs.

5. OBJECTIVES: 1. Teach Physical Science Concepts 2. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching Each student and team were required to self-evaluate their daily performance. This was new to many students and improved each day. At times they were more critical than I would have been. By the end of the project, they took complete ownership. They made great strides in understanding “Physical Science Concepts”. The video points out just how good a few of my students developed. Students have requested using this assessment on all projects.

6. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom Using NASA Resources, students were able to research, test and evaluate their spacecraft designs. Their designs demonstrated what astronauts will need in the future by looking at past models and futuristic designs. They applied Newton’s Laws and Aerodynamic Principles to their models. The use of technology was a must to complete the project. They excelled in the challenges they were presented Continued on next slide:

7. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom Students applied concepts recently covered in their Math Investigations class. Inquiry based objectives were used to not only challenge students but to also inspirer students to excel … great motivation to build a spacecraft that would fly higher and farther than the rest. Use of NASA Resources added great credibility to the overall lesson and excited the students. In free time, they are going back to the Websites and Applets. Physical needs of future astronauts were discussed on a daily basis. Especially true after the wind tunnel and first test flight were accomplished. Some design just didn’t “fly safe”

8. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight Students building their spacecrafts. After students submitted their scale- model drawing, they began the process of building the future NASA spacecraft. Some designs incorporated drawings from NASA Websites (past and future NASA spacecrafts). Others were of their own concept and design. Each spacecraft was designed to carry astronauts into orbit safely. Each used research (Physical Science) for development.

9. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom These teacher designs were shown and discussed with students only during the final review day. I went through the same process as the students and showed them my results. To a few of them they were surprised to see their designs looked pretty much like mine. They were interested in my set backs and my reasons for redesign.

10. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom NASA designed vertical wind tunnel. This wind tunnel is shown in its developmental stages to it’s setup in the schools project lab. Design is from NASA’s Educator Guide to Rockets. Construction cost @ 65.00 to complete. This is a first in our school district and my students take great pride in being the first class to use it.

11. OBJECTIVES: 1. Teach Physical Science Concepts 2. Future of Human Spaceflight 3. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 4. Resources from NASA – Classroom This shows actual testing of student in the wind tunnel. Students were required to fill out data recording sheets. They were to analyze their data prior to redesigning their spacecrafts. Data sheets were used as an assessment of student knowledge of the concepts discussed in class and on their overall design NASA Applet on Rockets was also used as a resource. Continued on next slide:

12. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching Students showing off their spacecraft after wind tunnel testing. Next step is for a redesign, if needed. Students were then allowed to flight test their spacecraft. Wind tunnel test data sheets are also shown.

13. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching More student spacecrafts with wind tunnel data sheets. Sizes, shapes, and design characteristics varied greatly. Students discovered what worked and what needed to be redesigned. Simpler designs had less problems with stability, but as some students noted, “they don’t look as cool, they don’t look like Star Wars or Star Trek”. Final preparations were then made for our launch day.

14. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom Teacher final designs are shown at the left. One is a “Goddard Rocket” Design One is a “NASA Shuttle” design One is an XCOR – Lynx design (XCOR is a commercial sub-orbital company The best flights were by the “NASA Shuttle”

15. OBJECTIVES: 1. Physical Needs of Astronauts 2. Teach Physical Science Concepts 3. Future of Human Spaceflight 4. Inquiry/Technology Based Teaching 5. Resources from NASA – Classroom Here is where it all came together. LAUNCH DAY Students launch the final spacecraft designs. Each student was given the opportunity to launch three times taking their best launch for the record. We then critiqued each others flight and the lessons learned. An exceptional class … excited and motivated students. All lesson/project objectives met.