Match Box Rockets
By: Mrs. Chloe Champney
A large part of the science curriculum is the “hands-on” portion of learning. With science I have the unique ability to do more hands-on learning than other classes. It takes some extra thinking and time to organize lab activities for students. Occasionally, it does not go as planned and students do not get much enjoyment from the lab. Other times they are met with challenges and must work together to overcome those challenges.
A lab that I really enjoyed from my high school years was building match-box rockets. They are very small and simply constructed but can shoot up to 40 feet, if done correctly. This year, I have a great group of Freshman and decided to let them have a go at it. We are about a week into this lab and most students have had some success with getting the rockets to move. Others have met opposition.
Watching students work through the struggle can be challenging as an educator because I want students to succeed. I must remind myself to step back and let them struggle. Some of the biggest learning moments come shortly after struggling. After day one of the lab, most students were ready to throw in the towel and give up. Yet, they show up day after day and are slowly learning to overcome the struggle. Even if the struggle is a simple match-box rocket.