Rocket launch: awakening interest of the students in natural sciences and mathematics

Abstract

Objective: To report the implementation of an interdisciplinary project focused on the construction and launch of rockets using alternative materials, aiming to stimulate students' interest in Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Experience report: The project was carried out with second-year high school students in a public school in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The activities included hands-on workshops, the study of scientific concepts, prototype construction, the application of an evaluative questionnaire, and a final competition among the classes. The students demonstrated a high level of engagement and active participation throughout all stages of the project. The teams achieved remarkable distances in their launches and secured a spot in the Brazilian Rocket Show (MOBFOG). Furthermore, the development of cognitive and social skills was observed, especially those related to problem-solving and teamwork. Final considerations: The experience showed that the use of accessible materials and the application of active methodologies foster student protagonism and strengthen the connection between theory and practice. The project also contributed to the consolidation of interdisciplinarity in the teaching-learning process, making the content more meaningful and contextualized.