Beacon Lesson Plan Library

3-2-1 Blast Off!

Denise Russell


This lesson in motion offers students the opportunity to work cooperatively in groups to assemble and launch a rocket.


The student knows that objects do not change their motion unless acted upon by an outside force.

The student understands how inertia, gravity, friction, mass, and force affect motion.


-6 matchbox cars
-Ramps made with books
-Flying Model Rocket Kits
-6 rocket engines
-2 rocket blast off platforms with 1 AA battery each
-Super Glue
-Magic markers


1. Purchase 1 model rocket per team, 2 rocket launch platforms, 2 AA batteries, super glue, 1 match box car per team.
2. Set up two launch pads.
3. Build a model rocket and launch it (optional, but a good idea)


1. Discuss key vocabulary. (See KEYWORDS)

2. Divide students into teams of 4-5 learners each. Teams practice the concept of inertia by rolling matchbox cars down book ramps at different levels of gravitational incline. Teacher walks around the room asking specific vocabulary questions from each team.

3. Each team is to: read and follow the instructions for building the model rocket, design decorations for their finished rocket, and once they've planned their rocket, assemble the rocket with super glue they obtain from the teacher.

4. Two teams at a time will set off their rockets on the launch pad while their classmates count down.


Teams are successful if they build, decorate, and launch their rockets. Any team experiencing problems will be given additional instruction and be given another opportunity to launch.


Students may build rockets at home for a science project.
A rocket launching will be held on the science project due date.
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