4 Videos

  • What Happened at This Roswell Rocket Site?

    06:57 duration

    Discover the surprising Hollywood connection behind the earliest rocket experiments.

    Robert Goddard was an early rocket pioneer.  In this video learn about his hoop skirt rocket, visit the ranch where he launched his experimental rockets, and see a recreation of his workshop at the Roswell Art Museum.  You will also explore Goddard’s legacy in ways that you may not expect.

    Discussion Question 
    What’s the difference between a solid fuel rocket and a liquid fuel rocket?

    Classroom Activity 
    Bingo: Set of 10 separate student friendly bingo cards with words or phrases related to the video. 

  • What's Wrong With This Rocket?

    02:52 duration

    Was this rocket built upside down?

    Robert Goddard’s hoop skirt rocket was a first step in modern rocket, but why does it look so weird? In this video On Air hosts Marty and Beth, along with the help of Adam Savage, explore the different parts of this rocket and help you understand why it looks upside down.  

    Vocabulary  
    Thrust: The force that makes something move forward

    Classroom Activity  
    Try our Mad Libs for some classroom fun!

  • From Janitor’s Kid to NASA Leader

    04:00 duration

    Her parents cleaned the offices of rocket scientists, now she is one of the people shaping NASA missions.

    Rosa Avalos‑Warren rose from humble beginnings to become the Near Space Network’s Network Director for Robotics and Launch Vehicle Missions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. In her role, she helps ensure vital communication between NASA and a wide range of spacecraft. In this video, she shares the story of her path, the challenges she overcame, and the determination that carried her into the world of space exploration.

  • We Built Rocket Engines… Out of Pasta?!

    08:17 duration

    What do pasta noodles have to do with rocket engines? More than you think—and this explosive hands-on demo will have your students begging for science class. 

    Join Marty and Beth from the National Air and Space Museum’s On Air series as they guide you through building a real hybrid rocket engine using everyday materials (yes, including uncooked pasta!). You’ll learn how to turn chemical reactions into an unforgettable STEM lesson, discover essential safety tips, and pick up clever classroom-tested strategies from four amazing teachers who share their top rocket‑themed activities. Plus, explore connecting lessons on Robert Goddard, quirky early rocket designs, and a real rocket scientist’s inspiring career path. If you’re ready to spark curiosity, launch deeper learning, and engage your students like never before—this video is your next mission. 🚀

    Lesson Plan

How do I use these in my classroom? 

Looking for additional suggestions for how to use these short middle school friendly videos in your classroom. 

Teacher Tips

Teaser: All About Rockets

Learn all about rockets, starting with Robert Goddard’s first launch of a liquid fueled rocket. 

About This Learning Resource

Grade Levels

Grades 6 - 8

Subjects

Physical Science

Engineering

Sponsor

Amazon, Boeing, and Hexcel Corporation

Rights

You are free to use this resource for educational purposes, with attribution. (CC BY-NC)

Learning Standards

  • MS-PS1-2 Matter and Its Interactions: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
  • MS-PS1-6 Matter and its Interactions: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.
  • 3-5-ETS1-1 Engineering Design: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

On Air

A logo that reads National Air and Space Museum On Air. The logo is stylized to look like a neon sign. The "a" is replaced with an image of a paper airplane.

On Air is a series of short videos for middle school students developed from feedback from teachers that take .

On Air is made possible by the generous support of Amazon, Boeing, and Hexcel Corporation.

More About This Program

Related Videos

Informal pose of Dr. Robert H. Goddard sitting in front of unidentified rocket under construction in his workshop at Roswell, New Mexico, 1935.

Robert Goddard's Quest

Goddard is considered the father of American rocketry. A theoretical scientist as well as a practical engineer, he held more than 200 patents, although he was reluctant to publicize his work during his lifetime.

 

Apollo 11 Launch

The Rocket That Launched Us to the Moon

The mighty Saturn V — the rocket that launched the Apollo astronauts to the Moon in the 1960s and 70s — was powered in part by five F-1 engines producing a combined thrust of 7.5 million pounds.

A designed image showing rockets on the right and a package with a parachute on the text. The text reads "Lift Off! Rocketry you can do."

3.2.1. Lift Off! Rocketry You Can Do

Rockets are key to getting vehicles into space. Without the rocket humans would have never gotten to the Moon.

But what is a rocket and how does it work? In this episode we'll take a deep dive into the parts and uses of rockets.

Saturn V exits large building

Step inside NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, former home of Artemis II's SLS rocket

NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is the eighth largest building in the world.