Shop / High School (grades 9–12)
Available Grades 9–12 Aerospace Computing & data
Build a barometric + IMU flight logger for a model rocket, predict apogee from thrust and drag, then compare the prediction with the logged flight.
Digital guide, cut files, BOM, firmware, labs and teacher materials · Hardware sourced separately (see the BOM below) · Instant download after Stripe checkout · Certified model rocket motors only; an adult range safety officer approves every flight.
Students build a barometric + inertial flight computer: an ESP32 Feather, a Bosch BMP390 barometer, an LSM6DSO32 ±32 g IMU, and microSD logging, all on a protected 1S LiPo with a hard arming switch. It rides on a laser-cut 3 mm birch plywood sled in the payload bay of a BT-60 (41.6 mm) airframe with a 24 mm motor mount, flown on certified Estes D12-5 motors. Before each flight, students predict apogee from first principles: the thrust-curve impulse, Newton's second law with varying mass, quadratic drag, and an Euler/RK4 integration. Then they fly, compare the prediction with 50 Hz logged data, explain the error, and iterate the design twice.
The flight computer only records data. It has no pyro channel and fires nothing. The parachute is deployed only by the motor's own ejection charge.
Students will:
Every high school pack includes worked math and physics, prediction-versus-measurement labs, at least two design-and-test iterations, data logging, a rubric, and documentation templates, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages.
Parts, specs, quantities, and estimated unit costs, with places to buy. Prices change; anything marked as an estimate is an estimate. Links were checked when the BOM was written.
Totals are computed from the line items below. Prices were read from vendor pages on the dates shown and will change. Rows tagged estimate have no verified link and are planning numbers only.
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | ESP32 Feather V2 (MCU, LiPo charger, STEMMA QT) Adafruit PID 5400 · ESP32-PICO-MINI-02, 8 MB flash, 2 MB PSRAM | 1 | $19.95 | $19.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $19.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Adafruit HUZZAH32 Feather PID 3405 ($19.95, verified): no STEMMA QT, so wire the sensors by hand. Its I2C pins (SDA 23 / SCL 22) come from the board variant, so the bare Wire.begin() needs no edit. GPIO38 is NOT broken out: the firmware moves PIN_BUTTON to GPIO32 with INPUT_PULLUP when compiled for the HUZZAH32 — wire a button from GPIO32 to GND. No VBAT-divider guarantee on the same pin: check the HUZZAH32 pinout | Header soldering: adult supervision + eye protection; ventilation |
| E2 | Adalogger FeatherWing (microSD + RTC) Adafruit PID 2922 · SD CS = GPIO33 on ESP32 Feathers; RTC PCF8523 @0x68 (unused) | 1 | $8.95 | $8.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $8.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any 3.3 V SPI microSD breakout wired to SCK/MOSI/MISO + a free CS pin (edit PIN_SD_CS) | Soldering (see E1) |
| E3 | Barometer — BMP390 breakout (primary) Adafruit PID 4816 · Bosch BMP390, I2C 0x77, STEMMA QT; rel. accuracy ±3 Pa (~±0.25 m) per Adafruit | 1 | $10.95 | $10.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $10.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · OUT OF STOCK on check date | Adafruit BMP280 PID 2651 ($9.95, verified, in stock): set USE_BMP280 1; rel. accuracy ±12 Pa (~±1 m) per Adafruit. Low total uses this. | — |
| E4 | IMU — LSM6DSO32 6-DoF breakout (±32 g) Adafruit PID 4692 · ST LSM6DSO32; ±32 g / ±2000 °/s ranges used (model peak 14–16.7 g → ≥ 1.9× headroom); I2C 0x6A default (no jumper; no clash with RTC 0x68); STEMMA QT | 1 | $12.50 | $12.50 | adafruit.com Adafruit $12.50 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | None recommended. ±16 g parts (e.g., MPU-6050) clip on light builds or on the Estes 20 N·s curve (tech review F5). If you must use one, log the clip flag and bridge clipped spans in analysis | — |
| E5 | LiPo battery 3.7 V 500 mAh with protection circuit Adafruit PID 1578 · 1S, JST-PH, 10.5 g, 29×36×4.75 mm; cuts out at 3.0 V; charge ≤500 mA | 1 | $7.95 | $7.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $7.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Adafruit 1S LiPo 350–1200 mAh with JST-PH (check polarity — other brands can be reversed) | LiPo: adult-supervised charging only, never unattended, LiPo-safe bag/metal tin, retire if puffed/damaged; check shipping restrictions |
| E6 | Arming switch — JST-PH 2-pin extension with in-line latching push-button Adafruit PID 3064 · latching push-button: "click once to turn on, click again to turn off" (Adafruit) · ~508 mm, 22 AWG, 10 g; in series with LiPo · housing size not listed by Adafruit (page re-read 2026-10-07; ≈40 × 15 × 11 mm is an estimate from photos): MEASURE it for the fit gate (build guide step 24) | 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $2.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Only if E6 fails the fit gate: a smaller latching push-button or sub-miniature switch spliced into a JST-PH lead (unverified); re-measure and re-run the rap/drop test | Arm only at the pad, with RSO permission |
| E7 | STEMMA QT / Qwiic cable 100 mm (cable 1) Adafruit PID 4210 · JST-SH 4-pin both ends · cable 1: Feather (TOP) → down through the sled's 8 × 5 mm centreline slot → BMP390 aft connector (BOTTOM) | 1 | $0.95 | $0.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $0.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Solder 4 short wires (3V, GND, SDA, SCL) | — |
| E7b | STEMMA QT / Qwiic cable 50 mm (cable 2) Adafruit PID 4399 · JST-SH 4-pin both ends · cable 2: BMP390 forward connector → LSM6DSO32 aft connector, both on the BOTTOM face; slack in a flat S-fold within ±11 mm of the centreline | 1 | $0.95 | $0.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $0.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | A 100 mm cable (PID 4210) with the extra slack folded flat and taped to the bottom face near the centreline | — |
| E8 | Feather female header kit (12 + 16 pin) Adafruit PID 2886 · solder to Feather so the Adalogger plugs on top | 1 | $0.95 | $0.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $0.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Solder the Adalogger directly to the Feather (not removable) | Soldering (see E1) |
| E9 | Male header strip (for the Adalogger only; no headers on the BMP390/LSM6DSO32: they connect by STEMMA QT only) Adafruit PID 392 · 0.1" 36-pin ×10 (shared across class) | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $4.95 (10-pack) · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Feather V2 ships with some header (per Adafruit page); low total assumes leftover header | Soldering (see E1) |
| E10 | Piezo buzzer PS1240 Adafruit PID 160 · Ø11.90 × 6.53 mm, 0.7 g (Adafruit) · 3–30 Vpp square wave, loudest ~4 kHz; GPIO27→GND · sled BOTTOM face, centred on the engraved circle 89.5 mm aft | 1 | $1.50 | $1.50 | adafruit.com Adafruit $1.50 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any small passive piezo | — |
| E11 | microSD card 512 MB (FAT32) Adafruit 64MB–512MB micro SD listing (PID 5249 page; 512MB option shown $4.95). One flight ≈ 5 kB/s | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $4.95 (512MB option); $3.50 (64MB) · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (64MB variant page) | Any 1–32 GB microSD formatted FAT32 (low total: 64 MB at $3.50 is enough for >3 h of logging) | — |
| E12 | Zip ties, double-sided foam tape, Kapton/masking tape Small zip ties (≤2.5 mm wide; the LiPo strap uses two, one per aft slot pair, plus cable ties); foam tape to cushion LiPo; tape over SD card | 1 | $6.00 estimate | $6.00 | Any hardware store (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | — | — |
| Subtotal | $83.50 | Low-cost path: $73.10 | |||||
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | BT-60 body tube 18" (41.6 mm OD, 40.5 mm ID) Apogee 10141 · 6 per pack, 18 g each · 1 tube = booster, ~150 mm of a 2nd = payload bay (pack covers ~3–4 rockets) | 1 | $17.78 | $17.78 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $17.78 (6-pack) · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | Estes BT-60 3-pack $11.29 (verified: https://estesrockets.com/products/bt-60-body-tube). Low total uses this. Apogee 10148 slotted BT-60 2-pack $10.80 (verified on same Apogee page) — check slot length vs fin root before using | — |
| R2 | BT-60 coupler (payload-bay joint) Apogee 13019 AC-41.6 · 3/pk, 76 mm long, ID 39.4 mm, OD 40.4 mm | 1 | $4.85 | $4.85 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $4.85 (3-pack) · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | Cut 76 mm of BT-60 coupler from another brand; measure ID before cutting bulkheads | — |
| R3 | Nose cone, plastic 3:1 ogive, BT-60 Apogee 20069 PNC-41.6 · 124 mm exposed, 43.2 mm shoulder (Apogee specs; the same page also lists 1.45 in / 36.8 mm — measure), shoulder OD 40.2 mm, 21.6 g (cone), includes a BT-60→BT-55 transition you can discard · blow-moulded and hollow, but the shoulder's aft end is closed (moulded loop) as supplied: cut it off at Apogee's moulded cut line (build guide step 11) | 1 | $13.15 | $13.15 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $13.15 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | Any BT-60 nose cone; re-measure length and mass for the CP/CG calculation | — |
| R4 | Motor mount kit 24 mm / BT-60 Apogee 12009 · 24 mm motor tube, cardstock centering rings, engine block; hook NOT included | 1 | $6.93 | $6.93 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $6.93 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | Laser-cut the birch centering rings in cutfiles/ (measure your motor tube OD first) + any 24 mm motor tube | — |
| R5 | Engine hook, standard 2.75" (24 mm D motors) Apogee 24048 · 6/pk, spring steel, 69.9 mm | 1 | $6.45 | $6.45 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $6.45 (6-pack) — read via curl; WebFetch timed out · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | Screw-on 24 mm motor retainer (unverified) | — |
| R6 | Launch lug 1/4" (matches 1/4" rod) Apogee 13057 · 6/pk, 76 mm, ID 7.3 mm | 1 | $3.91 | $3.91 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $3.91 (6-pack) · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (10+) | 3/16" lug only if you also use a 3/16" rod | — |
| R7 | Parachute 18" rip-stop nylon Estes Rip Stop Parachute, 18" option · model descent ≈5.1 m/s at ~199 g burnout mass (Cd ≈0.75 assumed); ≈36.5 s from 187 m; the pack drift rule uses wind × 40 s (covers 208 g builds and a flatter chute) · shroud lines tied or larks-headed to a ball-bearing snap swivel (R7b) clipped through a figure-eight loop in the elastic ≈15 cm from the eyebolt (build guide step 7) | 1 | $9.99 | $9.99 | estesrockets.com Estes $9.99 (18" option in the product JSON; 15" is $6.75 — don't substitute it: ≈6.2 m/s descent) · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Apogee 29092 18" printed nylon $7.86 (verified, OUT OF STOCK on check date) | — |
| R7b | Ball-bearing snap swivel (parachute attachment) Eagle Claw 01092-003 · ball-bearing swivel with coastlock snap, size 3, 3-pack (one pack covers 3 rockets) · 35 lb test (Eagle Claw product page, size 3 / 01092-003, checked 2026-10-07); the payload-section snatch is ≈11–28 N (≈2.5–6.3 lbf) · clip the snap through the elastic's figure-eight loop and tie or larks-head the shroud lines to the swivel's ring (build guide step 7) · mass not published: weigh it | 1 | $3.49 | $3.49 | eagleclaw.com Eagle Claw $3.49 (size 3 option, manufacturer page) · checked 2026-10-07 · Listed | Apogee 14509 100-lb ball-bearing swivel $4.84 (1.29 g, welded rings, in stock; verified 2026-10-07: https://www.apogeerockets.com/Building-Supplies/Recovery-Equipment/Swivels/100-lb-Ball-Bearing-Swivel) joined to the loop with an Apogee 29620 1/8" quick link $5.08 (8.5 g, 220 lb, in stock; verified 2026-10-07), or a 1/8" quick link alone | — |
| R8 | Kevlar shock-cord leader 300 lb Apogee 30326 · $0.94/ft, 10 ft minimum; use ~2 ft anchored to motor mount | 10 | $0.94 | $9.40 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $0.94/ft (min 10) · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Apogee 30325 Kevlar 100 lb $0.80/ft is rated by Apogee for A–C rockets only — not recommended here | — |
| R9 | Elastic shock cord 1/8" Apogee 30328 · $0.66/ft, 10 ft min; ~5 ft per rocket | 10 | $0.66 | $6.60 | apogeerockets.com Apogee Components $0.66/ft (min 10) · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Estes shock cord & mount pack (seen as SOLD OUT on Estes page) | — |
| R10 | Recovery wadding Estes · ~72 sheets (~18–25 launches per Estes) | 1 | $5.99 | $5.99 | estesrockets.com Estes $5.99 · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Reusable Nomex chute protector (unverified) | Only flame-resistant wadding (NAR code) |
| R11 | Birch plywood 3 mm (1/8") 12×24" Midwest Products 5244 aircraft birch · one sheet ≈ parts for several rockets | 1 | $24.01 | $24.01 | hobbylinc.com Hobbylinc $24.01 ("Email When Available" = not in stock on check date) · checked 2026-10-05 · Not available on check date | Any laser-grade 3 mm birch ply from a makerspace or craft store; cardboard is NOT acceptable for fins | Laser cutting: trained adult operator, never unattended |
| R12 | Wood glue (aliphatic, e.g. Titebond II) 8 oz For fins, rings, bulkheads, lug; CA or epoxy optional | 1 | $6.00 estimate | $6.00 | Home Depot / Lowe's / hardware store (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | Any yellow wood glue | — |
| R13 | Closed eyebolt + 2 flat washers (12 mm OD) + nyloc nut (shock-cord anchor) M4 (or #8-32) forged or welded CLOSED eyebolt, ~20–25 mm shank, through the 6 mm laminated bulkhead; washer each face: M4 DIN 9021 (12 mm OD) or #8 SAE flat — NOT a ¾–1 in fender washer, which would overlap A2's sled slot; nyloc on the forward face; epoxy seal. NOT a wood-screw eye | 1 | $3.00 estimate | $3.00 | Hardware store (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | Commercial BT-60 coupler bulkhead with an installed eyebolt (unverified; Apogee page timed out) | — |
| R14 | Ballast for Iteration 1 (≈25 g) Modeling clay or epoxy putty, secured to forward sled bulkhead | 1 | $2.00 estimate | $2.00 | Any (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | Clay or epoxy putty only (keeps the FAA 101.22(a) "no substantial metal parts" criterion obviously met) | — |
| R15 | Motors — Estes D12-5 (2-pack, incl. 2 starters + 4 plugs) NAR-certified 24×70 mm black powder; Estes: 20.00 N·s (label), max liftoff 283 g. thrustcurve.org/NAR cert data: 16.84 N·s, 10.21 N avg, 1.65 s burn | 2 | $15.99 | $31.98 | estesrockets.com Estes $15.99 (2-pack) · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed (physical address required) | Estes D12-3 2-pack $15.99 (verified: https://estesrockets.com/products/d12-3-engines) — only if your liftoff mass is above the D12-5's 283 g limit and your sim's coast time is closer to 3 s (Estes D12-3 upper mass limit not verified) | Adult (18+) buys, stores (cool, dry, away from ignition sources) and installs. No federal minimum age for ≤ D motors (CPSC exempt, 16 CFR 1500.85(a)(8), per the NAR Laws and Regulations page); check your state (e.g., CA: 14+ for ≤ D, 12+ in an adult-run education program; CSFM-approved motors only — verify the current 19 CCR §1027 text) and your district. Never modify. 4 motors = baseline + 2 iterations + 1 spare |
| R16 | Nose-retention screws, #2 × 1/4" pan head (2 per flight set) Through the payload tube into the plastic nose shoulder (1.5 mm pilot holes); removable for access. Required for EVERY flight (tech review F1) | 1 | $1.50 estimate | $1.50 | Hardware store (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | Nylon push rivets of similar size, or masking tape around the joint + a ≥10 N tug test | — |
| Subtotal | $157.03 | Low-cost path: $145.54 | |||||
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | Launch pad, E-rated, with 1/4" rod and blast deflector Estes Porta-Pad E | 1 | $35.99 | $35.99 | estesrockets.com Estes $35.99 · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Club/school pad that accepts a 1/4" rod and has a blast deflector | Adult/RSO sets up; rod tip capped when not in use (NAR code) |
| L2 | 1/4" two-piece launch rod (nominal 5 ft; 59.5 in = 1.51 m) Estes · 59.5 in (1.51 m) per eRockets listing · compatible with Porta-Pad E · pack rule: ≥ 1.40 m of rod ABOVE the blast deflector (≈1.30 m guided with a tail lug → model rod exit ≈16.0 m/s at 220 g, 15.9 m/s at 223 g); ≈15 m/s with a mid-body lug on the full rod, ≈9 m/s on a 3 ft rod | 1 | $16.99 | $16.99 | estesrockets.com Estes $16.99 · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | A 1/4" rod you already own or the club provides, if ≥ 1.40 m of it stands above the blast deflector. The rod included with the pad is NOT counted because its length isn't stated on the Estes page; measure it | Eye-level rod tip hazard — cap it |
| L3 | Launch controller with safety key, continuity light, 30 ft cable Estes E Launch Controller · needs 4× AA | 1 | $35.99 | $35.99 | estesrockets.com Estes $35.99 · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Estes Electron Beam controller (17 ft cable per search result; page not fetched — unverified) | ADULT/RSO holds the safety key. One igniter rule: igniter installed at the pad, rocket on the rod, safety key out; clips not attached until the avionics are armed |
| L4 | AA alkaline batteries (4) for controller Fresh cells — weak cells cause misfires with modern starters | 1 | $5.00 estimate | $5.00 | Any (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | — | — |
| L5 | Safety glasses, ANSI Z87.1 Z87+ (high-impact) (one per team member) 3M SecureFit SF201AF · clear anti-fog polycarbonate lens marked Z87+ (ANSI Z87.1 impact-rated; 3M spec table on strobelssupply.com and safetycompany.com, read 2026-10-09) | 4 | $5.32 | $21.28 | platt.com Platt Electric Supply $5.32 EA · checked 2026-10-09 · 40 in stock (company-wide) | Any glasses marked Z87+ (ANSI Z87.1 high-impact). Not SparkFun SWG-11046: it lists only CE/EN 1836, a sunglass standard, not impact-rated | Required for soldering, cutting, sanding, motor prep and launch |
| L6 | Fire safety at pad (bucket of water / extinguisher) School-owned; required by most clubs/RSOs | 1 | $0.00 estimate | $0.00 | School (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | — | Adult |
| Subtotal | $115.25 | Low-cost path: $114.25 | |||||
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Temperature-controlled soldering iron PINECIL (B2 tip; USB-C PD power adapter, stand and sponge NOT included per SparkFun) | 1 | $68.50 | $68.50 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $68.50 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any temperature-controlled station already in the lab (low total assumes school owns one) | Adult supervision, eye protection, ventilation, heat-safe stand |
| T2 | Lead-free solder 15 g SparkFun · 0.031", SAC305 no-clean | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $4.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any 0.6–0.8 mm rosin-core solder | Wash hands after soldering |
| T3 | Digital multimeter SparkFun Digital Multimeter – Basic (DC V, continuity, 200 mA/10 A ranges) | 1 | $21.50 | $21.50 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $21.50 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any DMM already owned | — |
| T4 | Digital calipers 150 mm SparkFun · 0.01 mm resolution, ±0.02 mm <100 mm | 1 | $19.95 | $19.95 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $19.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock (only 1 left on check date) | Steel rule (less precise) / any calipers owned | — |
| T5 | Digital scale 0.1 g, ≥500 g capacity Smart Weigh ZIP600 (600 g × 0.1 g) | 1 | $33.98 | $33.98 | newegg.com Newegg (third-party seller) $33.98 · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Any 0.1 g / 500 g+ scale (chemistry lab). Mass is the #1 apogee driver — don't skip weighing | — |
| T6 | M2.5 nylon screw + standoff set (incl. 80 M2.5 nuts) Adafruit PID 3299 · 380 pcs (one set ≈ 6 rockets; add M2.5 nylon nuts for larger classes): 80 M2.5 hex nuts, 80 × 4 mm, 80 × 6 mm, 40 × 10 mm screws, F-F and M-F standoffs 6–12 mm (Adafruit). Feather: on the standoffs. BMP390 / LSM6DSO32: NOT on standoffs — 2 × M2.5 × 10 mm screws each, head on the sled TOP face, one M2.5 nut (≈2 mm) as the spacer under the board and one nut outside, tip trimmed flush (8 nuts total; build guide step 23) | 1 | $16.95 | $16.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $16.95 · checked 2026-10-05 · In stock | Any M2.5 nylon hardware | — |
| T7 | USB-A to USB-C cable (data) Adafruit PID 4474 · ~1 m (Feather V2 is USB-C) | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 | adafruit.com Adafruit $4.95 (read via curl) · checked 2026-10-05 · Listed | Any USB-C data cable (not charge-only) | — |
| T8 | Hobby knife, sandpaper (220/400), masking tape, pencil Basic build consumables | 1 | $12.00 estimate | $12.00 | Any (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | — | Hobby knife: cut away from body, adult supervision |
| T9 | Laser cutter access or cutting service Makerspace time or mail-order cut of the SVGs (3 mm birch) | 1 | $15.00 estimate | $15.00 | Makerspace / cut service (no link) checked 2026-10-05 | Scroll saw / coping saw from printed templates (slower, less accurate) | Trained adult operator |
| Subtotal | $197.78 | Low-cost path: $27.90 | |||||
The pack is digital files only. Hardware is bought separately.
These are standards the pack's activities are mapped to by Laue Labs. They are not a certification or endorsement by any standards body or state.
The activities below are mapped to these standards by Laue Labs. This is an alignment aid for teachers. It isn't an official certification or endorsement by NGSS, Achieve, NGA/CCSSO, or any state. Check against your state's adopted standards.
| Performance expectation | Where it shows up |
|---|---|
| HS-PS2-1: analyze data to support the claim that Newton's second law describes the relationship among net force, mass, and acceleration | Lab 4: accelerometer data vs. the model's (T − mg − D)/m; Lab 5: mass iteration |
| HS-PS2-2: use mathematical representations to support the claim that total momentum is conserved when there's no net external force | first-principles §2: variable-mass derivation, rocket equation, why F = d(mv)/dt for the rocket alone is wrong |
| HS-PS2-3: apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision | Recovery: parachute sizing and descent rate (§9); landing speed vs. damage |
| HS-PS3-1: create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known | Extension: energy bookkeeping from the model trajectory (kinetic, potential, work done by drag) |
| HS-ETS1-1: analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions | Partial: the design criteria and constraints (≥1 cal margin, ±32 g IMU range vs. a 14–17 g model peak, 5 ft rod / rod-exit speed, 10 mph wind and drift distance, delay matching, mass limit 283 g). The "global challenge" framing is for the teacher to add (e.g., low-cost atmospheric sensing) |
| HS-ETS1-2: design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems | Subsystems: power, sensing, logging, firmware states, airframe, recovery |
| HS-ETS1-3: evaluate a solution based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs | Lab 5: fin set B stability vs. drag/mass; ballast vs. apogee |
| HS-ETS1-4: use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions | Lab 3/5: Euler/RK4 simulation predicts each iteration before it flies |
Science and engineering practices: developing and using models; planning and carrying out investigations; analyzing and interpreting data; using mathematics and computational thinking; constructing explanations and designing solutions.
| Standard | Where |
|---|---|
| N-Q.A.1–3: units, quantities, appropriate accuracy | Unit checks throughout; reporting precision vs. sensor accuracy |
| A-CED.A.4: rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest | Solving the barometric formula for z; descent-rate and coast formulas |
| F-IF.B.6: average rate of change | Velocity from altitude data; descent rate |
| F-LE.A.4: solve exponential equations with logarithms | Barometric formula; rocket equation |
| S-ID.A.4: use mean and standard deviation | Sensor noise characterization (Lab 2) |
| S-ID.B.6: fit a function to data | Descent-rate fit; altitude vs. time |
| Modeling (★) | The whole predict–test–revise cycle |
| Standard | Where |
|---|---|
| RST.11-12.3: follow a complex multistep procedure | Build guide, pre-flight checklist |
| RST.11-12.7: integrate information from diverse formats | Combining datasheets, thrust curves, plots, and tables |
| WHST.11-12.1: write arguments focused on discipline-specific content | Flight report: claim–evidence–reasoning |
Predicted values come from models, datasheets and manufacturer data, with sources cited. See safety & legal notes.
One student or one household.
You may:
You may not:
One homeschool family, or one co-op group of up to 10 learners with its facilitator(s).
You may:
You may not:
1 teacher, up to 30 students, in a single class or cohort.
You may:
You may not:
All licenses: digital files only (hardware not included). Keep Laue Labs attribution on printed handouts. After checkout you get an instant download on the thanks page. License questions, more learners, or site licenses: lance.haney@gmail.com.
