|
The single most important concept in this unit is the idea of
a controlled experiment. One excellent way to begin a Rocketry
unit would be to introduce your students to this idea via literature,
as it is well described in Chapter 10 of Einstein Anderson
Tells a Comet’s Tale.
The GEMS activities were carefully tested and modified to ensure
the full participation of girls, and feedback from teachers confirms
their “gender inclusivity.” In our classes at the Lawrence
Hall of Science, however, we still find that, initially at least,
boys tend to be more interested in signing up for model rocketry
classes, but when girls have the opportunity to build model rockets
they excel at conducting their own model rocketry experiments.
One way to create and foster that initial interest, or to extend
both boys’ and girls’ excitement and knowledge about
professional astronauts, is to have them read two of the books
included here—one written by astronaut Sally Ride and the
other a biography of her life.
If your students “take-off” on the idea of space travel,
you might want to have them read Supersuits, about space
suit design. The other books in this series are engaging science
fiction stories about kids who have explored strange planets and
met alien beings. There are certainly many other books about rocket
ships and we would especially welcome hearing about those that
also convey an accurate sense of the scientific
method and controlled experimentation.
Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint
Einstein Anderson Tells a Comet’s
Tale
From the Earth to the Moon
June 29, 2020
The Paper Airplane Book
Round the Moon
Sally Ride and the New Astronauts: Scientists
in Space
Stinker from Space
Supersuits
The Time and Space of Uncle Albert
To Space and Back
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint
by Jay Williams and Raymond Abrashkin; illustrated
by Ezra J. Keats
McGraw-Hill, New York. 1956
Out of print
Grades: 4–8
With the invention of “anti-gravity paint,” our
heroes escape the Earth’s gravity. Page 56 has a short explanation
of the mechanics of traditional rockets.
Return to title list.
Einstein Anderson Tells a Comet’s
Tale
by Seymour Simon; illustrated by Fred Winkowski
Viking Press, New York. 1981
Grades: 4–7
Chapter 10 describes a soapbox derby race in which teams have
to build soapbox racing cars that weigh the same amount and are
started in the same way. Our hero identifies the one test variable
that allows his team to win the race. This episode is a wonderful
example of a controlled experiment. You might ask your students
how the soapbox derby experiment could be improved to determine
whether the size of the wheels is the only important variable.
(Build the racers exactly the same, except for the size of the
wheels!)
Return to title list.
From the Earth to the Moon
by Jules Verne
Airmont, New York. 1967
Grades: 8–12
The members of the Baltimore Gun Club plan to shoot a space
gun to the moon. The planning, casting, and outfitting of the
projectile are described in great detail. Many of Verne’s
ideas have come true—the site chosen for the launch is Florida!
There are a few unfortunate references to the possibility of Seminole
“savages” in the area, though none are encountered.
Modern students could learn more about the actual achievements
and way of life of the Seminole. Students could also be assigned
to research which of the various scientific “facts”
in the book are plausible, and which not, especially Chapter 4
which contains actual calculations of distance, velocity, coordinates,
and related matters.
Return to title list.
June 29, 2020
by David Wiesner
Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin, New York. 1992
Grades: 3–6
The science project of Holly Evans takes an extraordinary
turn—or does it? This highly imaginative and beautifully
illustrated book has a central experimental component, related
to controlled experimentation. Holly uses balloons rather than
rockets to launch her efforts, but her planning, preparations,
and analysis of unexpected results provide humorous and useful
lessons.
Return to title list.
The Paper Airplane Book
by Seymour Simon; illustrated by Byron Barton
Viking Press, New York. 1971
Grades: 4–8
Experiments with paper airplanes are described as well as
explanations of the principles of aerodynamics involved.
Return to title list.
Round the Moon
by Jules Verne
Airmont, New York. 1968
Grades: 8–12
In this sequel to From the Earth to the Moon the projectile
(which had missed the moon) is traveling around the moon as its
satellite. Describes the experiences of the three travelers and
their adventures including experiencing weightlessness, narrowly
missing an encounter with a meteor, and sighting a volcano. An
appendix summarizes the errors in Verne’s hypothesis.
Return to title list.
Sally Ride and the New Astronauts:
Scientists in Space
by Karen O’Connor
Franklin Watts, New York. 1983
Grades: 5–8
This biography of Sally Ride is engagingly written and illustrated
with many black and white photos of the Space Shuttle and dozens
of training and support facilities. The book emphasizes the prejudices
that women have had to overcome to be accepted as astronauts,
and acknowledges the exceptional capabilities of Sally Ride and
other women astronauts as scientists and engineers.
Return to title list.
Stinker from Space
by Pamela F. Service
Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. 1988
Ballantine Books, New York. 1989
Grades: 5–8
A girl encounters an extraterrestrial being who has had to
inhabit the body of a skunk after an emergency landing. The girl
and a neighbor boy help the skunk, Tsynq Yr (Stinker), to evade
his enemies, the Zarnks, and get an important message to his own
people. Stinker’s departure from Earth involves “borrowing”
the space shuttle. Rockets are mentioned during a discussion comparing
the superior propulsion system used in Stinker’s world to
the solid and liquid-fueled rockets used to lift the shuttle.
Return to title list.
Supersuits
by Vicki Cobb; illustrated by Peter Lippman
J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia. 1975
Grades: 4–7
Describes severe environmental conditions that require special
clothing for survival: freezing cold, fire, underwater work, and
thin or nonexistent air. Chapter 5 discusses spacecraft and the
section “Why Step Outside?” looks at temperature requirements,
anti-fire materials, and other design needs for pressure suits
to be worn in space. Recent developments are lacking given the
book’s publication date.
Return to title list.
The Time and Space of Uncle Albert
by Russell Stannard
Henry Holt, New York. 1989
Grades: 5–8
Students who wish to go beyond the concrete experiments of
the laboratory may be interested in conducting some “thought
experiments” dreamed up by Albert Einstein, alias “Uncle
Albert” in this whimsical story about a high school girl
who gets some unusual help on her science project. Though the
writing is a bit elementary for the high school level, the concepts
of time and space are challenging; and accurately portray Einstein’s
Theory of Relativity—a cornerstone of modern physics.
Return to title list.
To Space and Back
by Sally Ride with Susan Okie
Lothrop, Lee, and Shepard/Morrow, New York. 1986
Grades: 4–7
This is a fascinating description of what it is like to travel
in space—to live, sleep, eat, and work in conditions unlike
anything we know on Earth, complete with colored photographs aboard
ship and in space. Details about weightlessness including gravity
toilets and the 11 steps necessary to prepare lunch (“attach
trays to the wall with Velcro”) should fascinate students.
The descriptions of what it’s like to be inside the shuttle
as the rockets propel it away from Earth (pages 17–18) are
a great tie-in. Specifics about the spacecraft include a cross-section
diagram showing the layout of the flight and mid-deck areas, a
log of the countdown routine before takeoff, and a description
of the space walk procedures where astronauts “become human
satellites” to rendezvous with a satellite in orbit.
Return to title list.
The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom
Planet
by Eleanor Cameron; illustrated by Robert Henneberger
Little Brown & Co., Boston. 1954
Grades: 5–8
Chuck and David respond to an advertisement from the mysterious
Mr. Tyco Bass (inventor, astronomer, and mushroom grower): “Wanted:
a small space ship about eight feet long, built by a boy, or by
two boys.” In Chapters 7 and 8, the boys meet Mr. Bass and
have their spaceship outfitted and fueled by him. There are details
about the rocket motor, invention of a special fuel, and the energy
requirements of the space ship. This book is one of a series—all
of which contain interesting scientific information in a science
fiction format.
Return to title list.
|
|
