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Estimated class time |
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One or two class periods
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Lesson Objectives |
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Students will:
- Explore the contributions of Wernher von Braun to rocketry.
- Define gyroscope.
- Show how gyroscopes can be used in navigation.
- Create and experiment with their own spinning tops and gyroscopes.
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Materials needed |
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- Internet access
- Copies of Hunt for Nazi Scientist Viewer's Guide
- For each pair of students:
- a CD (or an old vinyl phonograph record)
- approximately 1 meter length of string
- a button larger than hole in CD
- a 4-inch diameter poster board circle
- a sharpened pencil
- 2 rubber bands
- 4 pennies
- masking tape
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Teaching Strategy |
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Teachers!
Video clips for your students are available here.
 Video Clips
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- Introduce the topic by asking students what is meant by the phrase. "well, it's not rocket science?" Ask what they think rocket science really involves. Have students share what they know about the history of rockets and rocket scientists.
- Show students the video "The Hunt for Nazi Scientists" or have them explore the video clips on the web site, answering the questions on the Viewer's Guide. Discuss answers. Then have students explore the Web site focusing on the "Background," "Clues and Evidence" and the interactive timeline sections of http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/
case_naziscientists/index.html and have the students discuss the following:
- Describe more details about the technological advances of the V-2 rocket. In particular, what features of the V-2 were significant improvements over the V-1?
- Name some other rockets that were developed by von Braun and his team. What were they used for?
- What were some of von Braun's contributions to rocket science after the end of World War II?
- Why was von Braun's surrender to the United States so important?
- How did von Braun's space station design produce its own "artificial" gravity?
- What was the stimulus for the creation of NASA?
- How did von Braun become involved with NASA?
- Now back to "rocket science." Refer to question 5 on Viewer's Guide. Ask students what they know about gyroscopes. How can gyroscopes aid in navigation? To answer that question, perform the following simple activities.
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Provide each pair of students a CD, a button larger than the center hole of the CD, and a piece of string approximately 1 meter long. Students should:
- Securely tie the button onto one end of the string.
- Thread the free end of the string through the hole of the CD.
- Holding the free end of the string with the CD near the floor, swing the CD back and forth. Observe its motion.
- Now start the CD spinning and repeat the swinging motion. How does the CD move now? Note how it stays parallel to the floor as it moves. It is this stabilizing movement that plays a role in rocket navigation. The gyroscope's response to changes in direction sends signals to the vanes in the exhaust system, which then move to steer the rocket.
- Provide each pair of students with a 4-inch diameter circle of poster board (or have students cut out their own), a sharpened pencil, 2 rubber bands, four pennies and some masking tape. Instruct the students to create a spinning top by inserting the pencil through the center of the circle. Secure the pencil in place by pushing a twisted rubber band around the pencil and up tight against each side of the poster board circle. Practice spinning the top on the point of the pencil. Encourage students to experiment with taping the pennies in different locations to see which placement allows for the longest spin.
- Allow students some time to explore the behaviors of various gyroscope toys and models, if available. Have them write a summary of what they've learned, if desired.
- For more information on how gyroscopes work, direct students to the Internet Resources below.
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Internet Resources |
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Gyroscopes
Rockets and von Braun
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Assessments |
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- Written responses to Viewer's Guide questions and written summary.
- Participation in discussion.
- Participation in activities.
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Extensions |
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- Research and present information about other important rocket scientists.
- Discuss the ethics of science related to this issue: Was von Braun's expertise in rocketry reason enough to let his use of concentration camp labor go unpunished?
- Experiment with model rockets to learn more about rocket design, using simple paper designs, water launch rockets, or actual motorized model rockets.
- Research nuclear fission and the development of the atomic bomb.
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Correlation to National Science Standards |
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Standards from http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/html/6e.html#csc912
CONTENT STANDARD E: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of:
- Abilities of technological design
Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. New technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research.
- Motions and forces
Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are used to calculate precisely the effects of forces on the motion of objects. The magnitude of the change in motion can be calculated using the relationship F = ma, which is independent of the nature of the force. Whenever one object exerts force on another, a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is exerted on the first object.
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SECRETS OF THE DEAD is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York. © 2006 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
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