Use the attached project sheet and Engine Design Worksheet to make your design.

Rocket Science Project Sheet

We will use the following graphs for in an in class lesson on integration.

Velocity-time graphs

In order for us to gain a better understanding of what dynamics are in play with the rocket engine, we will have to define some simple terms. Here are your tasks to begin our rocket science project:

1. Find a partner. You get to choose a partner. However, it cannot be someone you have worked with before. If cannot be someone from your solar system project or from the solar system drawing you did. You must choose someone new.
2. Research fuel types. We will be working with two main fuel types. Sugar rockets and black powder rockets. What are the ingredients used in each type? What is the fuel? What do the other components of the rocket engine do? What are the proposed ratios of fuel mix? What is the temperature and time of the burn? Are there any changes to that mix that are recommended to change the characteristics of the burn?
3. Research model rocket engine types. What is a core burner engine? What is an end burner engine? How do these engine designs differ and why would you choose one over the other?

Please write the answers to these questions in your notebook as a section of notes. We will use these for a later blog post.

Good luck!

For our night of astrophotography, each group will get an hour of telescope time to photograph any object of their choice. We have three telescopes that will be set up that night. The 80 mm refractor can capture objects with a magnitude of approximately 7. The 8″ reflector is our most trusted instrument for astrophotography and can capture objects up to approximately magnitude 9. The 14″ reflector can reach magnitude 14 theoretically.

Take some time to cross reference what will be up in the 2015 fall night sky over San Diego. Look at which constellations are prominent. The night sky map is a good place to start. Then cross reference those constellations with the objects that you might be able to see. The Messier Catalog is a good starting point.

The Project Sheet is here.