Rocket Roadster Science Lab
The car that hung upside down, explained in one hands-on hour.
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An independent lesson, not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Tesla, Inc. or SpaceX. Speeds and specs are Tesla's own claims from the event.
Rocket Roadster Science Lab is a printable, one-hour science lesson for ages 7 to 13, built on the Roadster unveiling in McGregor, Texas, where a car hung upside down on a curved ramp, flipped and floated down. Kids test the science behind it with household supplies: air pressure, air jets and Newton's third law, G-force, and how a battery makes electricity. It comes in two age levels, Junior Scientist (ages 7 to 10) and Commander (ages 11 to 13), with an answer key for the grown-up.
By the end, your kids can
- Explain how air pressure can hold a car to a ceiling
- Use Newton's third law to explain how an air jet pushes
- Describe what G-force feels like during a flip
- Explain how a battery makes electricity
- Tell a company's claim apart from a checked fact
- Design and sketch an invention of their own
What your kids walk away with
Teacher details: standards, concepts and skills
- Age range
- Ages 7 to 10 (Junior Scientist) and 11 to 13 (Commander)
- Grade levels
- 2nd to 5th, and 6th to 8th
- Subjects
- Physical science, chemistry, engineering, math (Commander), writing
- Skills
- Predicting, observing, recording data, measuring, explaining with evidence, separating claims from facts
- Time
- About 65 minutes after the video, plus about 10 minutes to set up
- Format
- Printable PDF, US Letter, prints well in black and white
- Concepts
- Air pressure, suction and downforce · Newton's third law · Compressed gas and gas laws · Physical vs. chemical change · Gravity and G-force · Torque and centripetal force · Lithium-ion batteries · Redox reactions · The engineering design process
- Standards
- Connects to NGSS 3-PS2-1, 5-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS1-2
You probably have all of this
- Cup and water
- Index card
- Vacuum hose
- Hardcover book
- 2 balloons
- Straw and tape
- 10 feet of string
- Bike pump
- Ball and needle
- Bell or pot
- Colored pencils
- Calculator (older kids)
Every lab is grown-up supervised.
What kids figure out
What's inside
- 4 Big Ideas, 4 labs
- Circle-the-answer questions
- Invent It! challenge
- 4 concepts, 5 lab stations
- Real engineering math
- Design challenge
- The hour, minute by minute
- Every answer, explained
- Included with every edition
Same hour. Two levels. Everyone together.
| Clock | Block | Junior pages | Commander |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before | Predictions | p. 2 | Before the Video |
| During | Spotter checklist | p. 3 | Watch and Notice |
| 0:05–0:15 | Air pushes | pp. 4–5 | Concept 1 |
| 0:15–0:26 | Air jets | pp. 6–7 | Concept 2 |
| 0:26–0:35 | Flips and G-force | p. 8 | Concept 3 |
| 0:35–0:42 | Battery power, Ion Run | p. 9 | Concept 4 |
| 0:42–0:52 | Think like an inventor | p. 10 | Inventor's Thinking |
| 0:52–1:05 | Invent it, exit ticket | pp. 11–12 | Design Challenge, Exit Ticket |
- THE STORYA new Roadster is unveiled in McGregor, Texas
- THE LESSONRocket Roadster Science Lab, with every fact checked
- WHEN THE STORY CHANGESWe update the lesson. If you own it, you get the new version free.
Reviews from families
Questions parents ask
Is this made by Tesla or SpaceX?
No. It's an independent lesson built on a public event. We're not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by either company, and we label their specs as claims.
Do we need to watch the event?
Yes. The free replay is on YouTube, and the packet tells you which parts to watch.
I have three kids. Do I buy three copies?
No. One purchase covers every child in your household. Print as many copies as they need.
Can I use it with my class or co-op?
A standard purchase covers one teacher and their own students. Co-op and multi-teacher licenses are coming soon.
How do I get my files?
Right after checkout you'll see download buttons. Your files stay in your library: sign in any time with your email and a 6-digit code.
Why do I sign in to buy?
So your files belong to you alone. We email you a code, never a password. Every page is stamped with your name and order number.
What if something's wrong with my file?
Email us within 14 days and we'll fix it or refund you. Because the files are digital, we can't take back a lesson that's already been downloaded and works.