Water Bottle Rockets:
Student Expectations and Responsibilities
We are about to start a fun science project. In this project, we will be exploring the scientific method (see
attached sheet). We will design an experiment, conduct the experiment, and write a science report. Remember,
whether you are a hands-on scientist, or an observational scientist depends upon your behavior. We will be
conducting the experiments on Friday, April 29. Your individual, written report will be due on Friday, May 6.
You will receive a writing grade, a science grade, and a group participation grade for this project. (See below).
Good luck and have fun.
Rubric
Report
Science
Group
participation
4
All required
elements are
present and
additional
elements that add
to the report (e.g.,
thoughtful
comments,
graphics) have
been added.
Report illustrates
an accurate and
thorough
understanding of
scientific concepts
underlying the
experiment.
Almost always
listens to, shares
with, and supports
the efforts of
others. Tries to
keep people
working well
together.
3
All required
elements are
present.
Report illustrates
an accurate
understanding of
most scientific
concepts
underlying the
experiment.
Usually listens to,
shares, with, and
supports the efforts
of others. Does not
cause "waves" in
the group.
2
One required
element is missing
or underdeveloped,
but additional
elements that add
to the report (e.g.,
thoughtful
comments,
graphics) have
been added.
Report illustrates a
limited
understanding of
scientific concepts
underlying the
experiment.
1
Several required
elements are
missing or
underdeveloped.
Often listens to,
shares with, and
supports the efforts
of others, but
sometimes is not a
good team
member.
Rarely listens to,
shares with, and
supports the efforts
of others. Often is
not a good team
player.
Report illustrates
inaccurate
understanding of
scientific concepts
underlying the
experiment.
Scientific Method Flowchart
1.
Define/Identify the Question/Problem
Ask a question that might be fun or interesting to find an answer to by conducting an experiment. For example, "Which
fertilizer results in greatest bean production in bean plants?"
2.
Form a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess about what will happen as a result of your experiment. For example, "I believe
Brand Y will yield the most beans because it has the highest level of Q."
3.
Make Observations or Test Hypothesis and Perform Experiments
A good question is just the beginning. The way you design your experiment to find the answer to your question is at
least as important as the question itself. You must design a Controlled Experiment, which contains the following
types of variables:
Manipulated (or Independent) Variable: This is the variable you will change in your
experiment. For example, if you wanted to know how fertilizer affects plant growth, the amount of fertilizer
applied is the only variable that you would change.
Controlled Variables (or Controls): These are all the things that you will keep the same in your
experiment. Controls in our example would include: the origin of the seeds (they must all come from the
same package and should be randomly selected), the amounts of light and water each plant receives, the
type of soil used (same type, brand, etc.), the size of the pot, and the temperature
4.
Organize and Analyze Data
Organize all results in your notes or into charts or tables. You should do your best to explain wacky data. ("Bean plant
#1 never bloomed. According to my logbook, that's the plant that the cat chewed on, so I probably should not include
that point in my data analysis...") In other words, why do you think you got the results you did?
5.
Do Experiments and Observations Support Hypothesis?
Was your hypothesis correct? (Discovering that your hypothesis was incorrect does not mean that the experiment was a
failure!) What is likely to happen if someone else does this experiment? How do your results affect real life? How
could you improve the experiment if you were to do it again?
o If No, Perform New Experiments and Repeat Step 4
6. Draw Conclusions
7. Communicate Results
Group Planning Sheet
This science experiment is a group project with each group consisting of three members; however, each student will be in
charge of turning in a written report and building their own water bottle rocket that they can keep. Your goal is to determine what
variable will help your rocket fly the highest. All three rockets in each group need to be identical except for one variable. (For
example: a group may decide their rockets should have the same number of fins that are the same size, shape, are in the same location,
have the same amount of water, and same type of bottles with only each rocket’s nose cone being a different size.)
List of Variables:
 Shape of the fins
 Size of the fins
 Number of the fins
 location of the fins
 amount of water
 size of the bottle
 size of a nose cone
Word Bank:
Variable – aspects of your experiment that are capable of
changing.
Conception art - Something conceived in the mind; a concept,
plan, design, idea, or thought drawn on paper
Scientific method - is a systematic way to answer scientific
questions and present the results to the scientific community
Hypothesis - an educated guess about what will happen as a
result of your experiment
Your group should use this section to help you plan what your group will need and what your rocket’s will look like.
Group members:
Variable:
Type of bottle:
Half liter
liter
2 liter
Amount of water:
Low
Half
Full
Fins:
Number
Location
Size
Shape
Draw some conception art of fins
Draw some conception art of your rockets
Science Report
Name:
Title of experiment:
Problem:
Hypothesis:
Materials:
Procedure:
Results:
Conclusion and error analysis: