Pre-Built Lesson: Propulsion
We’re all about motion in this propulsion lesson plan for elementary schoolers. From exploring propulsion and its relationship to Newton’s third law of motion to making marshmallow canons and reading about rabbits with jetpacks – it’s all right here!
Resources in This Lesson
Resource 1
All you’ll need to investigate propulsion and Newton’s third law of motion for this super fun Rosie Explores experiment is a string, a balloon, and a straw!
Rosie Explores Propulsion
https://handsonstem.rosieriveters.com/resources/propulsion/
Resource 2
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you had a jetpack? A very smart and creative rabbit imagines just that in this super fun book!
Rosie Reads If You Had a Jetpack
https://handsonstem.rosieriveters.com/resources/rosie-reads-if-you-had-a-jetpack/
Resource 3
Make your exploration of propulsion extra sweet with these equally easy and amazing marshmallow propellers!
Rosie Makes Marshmallow Propellers
https://handsonstem.rosieriveters.com/resources/rosie-makes-marshmallow-propellers/
Resource 4
Continue learning and exploring with some of these tried and tested Rosie Recommends activities from other STEM educational resources.
Rosie Recommends Propulsion Activities!
https://handsonstem.rosieriveters.com/resources/propulsion-activities/
Join Rosie Girl Veronica as she uses a string, a balloon, and a straw to explore propulsion and Newton’s third law of motion – for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction!
Propulsion is a force that pushes or drives an object forward. Propulsion systems move objects up and forward at the same time. These systems make airplanes fly, and as Veronica shows in the video, rely on the principles of Newton’s third law!
Want to duplicate this experiment at home or in your classroom? Watch the video for an overview, gather the materials listed at the right, and follow the instructions below!
Watch The Video
https://youtu.be/LxFrSLKvc0k
Required Materials
- 1 balloon
- 1 straw
- tape
- string
- table
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Tape a balloon to the bottom of the straw. Make sure you can still blow air into the balloon – don’t tape around it!
Step 2
Tie one end of the string to a table leg or another stationary object.
Step 3
Thread the straw with the balloon attached through the untied end of the string.
Step 4
Tie the other end of the string to the opposite table leg (or other stationary object).
Step 5
Blow air into the balloon.
Step 6
Let go of the balloon and watch what happens! How does propulsion work? How does Newton’s third law of motion come into play?
In this episode of Rosie Reads, we’re blasting off with a curious and creative rabbit as he imagines what life would be like if he built a jetpack. If You Had a Jetpack – written by Lisl Detlefsen, illustrated by Linzie Hunter and published in 2018 – follows the main the character as he zooms between school, his grandma’s house, and even outer space! His adventures range from the mundane to the out-of-this world (literally) and often have an element of kindness to them as well.
When you’re finished reading If You Had a Jetpack, ask kids these comprehension questions:
- Where does the rabbit go with his jetpack? Name at least 3 places!
- How does he use his jetpack to help people?
For our Rosie Reads activity, ask kids to think about the branches of science and engineering (chemistry, physics, aeronautics, mechanical engineering, etc.) that they’d use, and the types of experiments they’d need to perform, to create and build a jetpack like the main character.
Take it a step further and ask them to design their own jetpacks! With the above background in mind (the branches of science involved and the experiments they’d need to perform) what kind of jetpack would they make? How would they use it to help people like the rabbit did in the book? You can even encourage them to make plans for producing these amazing creations. Map out the steps of the engineering design process (for elementary school students they are: ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve) and ask kids how they’d approach each one in order to make their designs a reality!
Rosie Makes Marshmallow Propellers
Have you ever wondered how your marshmallow propeller can shoot marshmallows so far and fast? It’s all thanks to a super cool thing called “propulsion.” Propulsion is the force that moves objects, like your marshmallow, forward.
In your marshmallow propeller, the propulsion comes from the air pressure. When you pull back the plunger, you’re creating a space for the air to get squished. The more you pull, the more air gets squeezed into that small space. That air really wants to escape, and when you let go of the plunger, it rushes out, pushing the marshmallow forward. Whoosh!
Propulsion is used in many different ways, like in rockets that fly to space, cars that zoom down the street, and boats that sail across the ocean. Just like your marshmallow propeller, these machines use different forces to move forward. Rockets use powerful engines that blast out hot gases, cars use engines that burn fuel, and boats use propellers that push water.
Propulsion and this project rely on Newton’s third law of motion: that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Be sure to identify the action and equal and opposite reaction that occurs as you launch your marshmallows!
So next time you’re launching marshmallows with your cannon, remember the amazing force of propulsion. It’s what makes the marshmallows fly, rockets blast into space, and boats sail through the water. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll use propulsion to create a super cool invention of your own!
Ready to make this project at home or in your classroom? Watch the video for an overview, gather the materials listed at the right, and follow the instructions below!
Watch The Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTSqLE4Y6GU
Required Materials
- 1 balloon
- 1 cardboard tube
- tape
- scissors
- string
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Tie a knot at the opening of the balloon.
Step 2
Cut the balloon in half below the knot (where the circular part of the balloon starts).
Step 3
Stretch the balloon over the tube (we used a toilet paper roll) so the knot sits in the middle of the tube opening.
Step 4
Secure the balloon tightly with tape.
Step 5
Load your newly-constructed propeller with items to propel. We chose marshmallows, but you could use confetti, etc. Note: you’ll need to adjust how many of the items you load as each item’s weight and size will impact propulsion.
Step 6
Pull the knot as far back as you can without pulling the balloon off of the tube and launch!
Rosie Recommends Propulsion Activities!
Check out these tried and tested propulsion activities from other STEM educational resources!
Recommended Resources
Resource 1
Investigate propulsion by making some balloon-powered vehicles! This ballon-powered car and balloon-powered boat are super fun to watch in motion. The materials you’ll need are pretty straightforward too; skewers, balloons, and a small piece of plastic tubing will likely be the only things on your list!
Resource 2
Build a DIY version of the always-popular stomp rockets using air pressure and propulsion! This project requires a few non-household items (PVC elbows and pipes), but the payoff is worth it – “rockets” that propel into the sky via air pressure and the force of your feet!