Activity One

1. Compare flame length and protection time by increasing the flame length. (p. 54)
2. Use the lightest weight structure to plot mass vs. protection time.
3. Make the smallest possible TPS that achieves minimum protection time. Plot results. (p.54)
4. Brainstorm and collect ideas about what engineers must do to reduce costs. Compare lists with other teams. Determine the ratio of cost vs. protection time for each design and plot this on a graph. (p.55)
5. Have students experiment with other heat protective materials (p.55)6. Use computer probes to measure the amount of heat being applied.

Vocabulary Words:

• Direct and Indirect relationships
• Direct and Indirect relationships
• Direct and Indirect relationships
• Time management and Cost accountability
• Specific heat and Thermal conductivity
• Joules and Watt

Preparatory Work:

1. No additional materials are needed.
2. Balance and graphing paper.
3. Balance and graphing paper
4. Assign costs to each team and set a budget. Make-up a purchase request form from which each team will order supplies and stay within a budget.

On the Web Resources:

• How much fuel the Space Shuttle uses.
• Which parts of the Space Shuttle are disposable?
• The history behind the launch of the Space Shuttle.