Module 1: Mission Command

Have you ever wondered how a rocket is made? What skills you need to work with rockets? Or even what it would be like to launch your very own rocket into the sky? Well, you don’t need to imagine for much longer.

Over the next few weeks, you’ll learn what it takes to launch a rocket sky high using the power of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

To start, let’s get inspired by some STEM superstars exploring the wonders of rockets, right here in Aotearoa:

Rocket Lab epic

To put a rocket in space, it takes a whole team of people.

You’ll be working as a team to launch your rocket, and each role has an important part to play.

Meet your Mission Command

Your teacher and ambassador are your Mission Command. They’re here to help you work through the Rocket Challenge so you can achieve mission success.

Say hi to your ambassador and listen to their story. If you don’t have an ambassador – no worries! Say hello to our special Rocket Ambassador, Evan Simmers.

Form your space crew

Your first mission is to form a space crew of 3–6 classmates. A good space crew is made up of heaps of different STEM experts who work together to plan, design, build and fly rockets into space to complete their missions.

Unpack your rocket kit

The Wonder Project has hooked you up with a rocket kit to get you started on your adventure. Unpack it with your Mission Command. What do you think the different pieces are for?

You’ll also need to find a few more things to send your rocket sky-high:

• 1.5 litre soda bottle. You’ll need one per crew and make sure it’s new!
• Water and measuring cups
• Bike pump – a foot pump version is best

Smile for the camera

At the end of the Rocket Challenge, your school will have the chance to make and share a poster or short video of your challenge experience to be in to win a super sweet prize!

Make sure you’re documenting your Rocket Challenge experience with heaps of photos and videos and start thinking about the story you want to tell. Check out Mission Brief 13 if you want to get ahead of the game.

Engineers play a really important role in rocketry. But what do they really do?

Engineers make things that solve problems. Check out this video to learn how to think like an engineer:

Do you remember those four steps that engineers use to find a solution to a problem? These are the four steps of the engineering design process:

Just like an engineer, you’ll follow this process as you work through the Rocket Challenge.

Let’s kick things off with step one:

Engineers start all their projects by asking questions. This helps them figure out what the problem is that they’re trying to solve.

Throughout the challenge, we’re going to be asking and answering the question:

I wonder how rockets fly?

• Completed student pre-challenge survey
• Completed Mission Brief 1: STEM roles quiz
• Formed your crew and assigned crew roles
• Unpacked your rocket kit
• Watched: How to think like an engineer
• Learned the first step of the engineering design process – ask
• Completed Mission Brief 2: Ask

Ready for the next step?