Challenge: Determine how the different rocket fuel liquids interact.

Part 1
The rocket fuel is comprised of 6 different types of liquids that must be burned in a very
particular order. The fuel to be burned first will be at the bottom of the fuel tank. The fuel
that needs to burned last must be at the top of tank.

1. Record observations about each of the liquids at your station. How would you describe
their appearance?

Based on your observations, what will happen when you mix the liquids together? Draw your
predictions in the canister below. Will they mix together or stay separate? If you think they will
stay separate, label the different layers in your drawing. Test your predictions and draw your
results in the other canister.

Prediction Results

Part 2 (if time)

For some secret NASA reason, this particular rocket fuel must have a penny, a grape, a
bolt, a piece of wood, a piece of plastic and a piece of paper mixed in the fuel that you
created, but also in a particular order. In your column, predict where you think each of
these objects will be. Test your prediction by dropping the objects in.

Wood

Bolt

Penny

Grape

Plastic

Paper

Prediction Results
Space Density

Learning Goals
1. Students will improve their understanding of density, and how different liquids interact
based on their density.
2. Students will improve their ability to predict which objects might float or sink in different
liquids.
Objectives
1. Students will make predictions about how objects behave differently in vegetable oil vs.
water.
2. Students will observe various liquids, make predictions about their densities, and test
those predictions.
3. Students will make and test predictions about how objects will behave in a column of
different liquids.

Materials
● 20 worksheets (1 per student)
● 10 sets of canisters (1 per pair) containing “mystery” liquids (colored water, colored
rubbing alcohol, corn syrup, dish soap, vegetable oil) and an empty clear canister
● 5 larger sets of the mystery liquids
● 5 100 mL graduated cylinders
● 5 sets of objects (grape, penny, bolt, wood, paper, )

Grouping: Students will work in pairs for Challenge 1, and in groups of 4 for Challenge 2.

Agenda
Do Now (5 minutes)
Challenge 1 (15)
Challenge 2 (25)
Exit Ticket (5)

Procedure

Do Now (5)
Students will review their previous findings about the density of different objects and behavior in
water, and discuss how using vegetable oil instead of water might have impacted their
experiment.

Challenge 1 (15)
Students will be tasked with building fuel for a rocketship, which requires filling up a cannister
with different liquids and determining their order. Students will get a set of mystery liquids in
small canisters, and predict what will happen when they are all combined. They will then test
their predictions by adding them into an empty clear canister.
Challenge 2 (25)
Instructors will reveal that in order to make the rocket ship go faster, it will be necessary to add
certain objects to the fuel. Students will predict whether various objects will sink or float. They
will then set up a graduated cylinder of alien fuel and test their predictions.

Exit Ticket (5)

Students will answer a series of multiple choice questions about the lesson and pick the correct
explanations for what they observed in the lab.

Formative Assessment Plan

Student learning will be assessed throughout the lesson as they apply their understanding of
density. The challenges and the Do Now will require them to apply their knowledge of density to
different liquids and solids. We can adjust our instruction to enhance student understanding by
providing guidance where necessary, and reviewing concepts if students get stuck.

Summative Assessment Plan

The student worksheets will serve as our summative assessment plan, as they will be a record
of how students apply their knowledge of density throughout the lesson. Their exit ticket will
assess their understanding of what they observed and why, and be a strong indicator of how
this lesson enhanced their knowledge.