Physical Science, Grade 7

This grade 7 Physical Science unit focuses on the inquiry question, “How do Rockets Work?” In the Mini Martian Rocket Challenge, students follow the Engineering Design Process to make an alka seltzer powered mini rocket. The unit supports the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices of Developing and Using Models and Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, utilizing the Claims, Evidence, Reasoning framework (CER) which may be used throughout the year. The unit makes explicit use of connections between scientific texts and results of an investigation using a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) format. The unit draws on the Reading Apprenticeship instructional framework and classroom routines including Think Aloud Checklist, Annotating text, and Social Scaffolds.