Propulsion With the Space Launch System 

Appendix: STEM Standards and Practices 

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 

https://www.nextgenscience.org/ 

39  Next Gen STEM 

Alignment of Activities With NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas 

Motion and Stability (MS) 

Standard 

Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude 

of a Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

Forces and Interactions 

MS-PS2-2   

Engineering Design 

MS-ETS1-1   

MS-ETS1-2 

MS-ETS1-3   

MS-ETS1-4   

Alignment of Activities With NGSS Crosscutting Concepts 

Concept Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude 

of a Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

Patterns 

Cause and Effect   

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity 

System and System Models   

Energy and Matter  

Structure and Function 

Stability and Change 

Interdependence of Science, 

Engineering, and Technology 

    

Influence of Engineering, 

Technology, and Science on 

Society and the Natural World 
 

 

 

Propulsion With the Space Launch System 

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices 

https://ngss.nsta.org/PracticesFull.aspx 

Alignment of Activities With NGSS Science and Engineering Practices 

Practice Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude of a 

Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

Asking Questions and Defining 

Problems 

  

Developing and Using Models   

Planning and Carrying Out 

Investigations 

 

Analyzing and Interpreting Data   

Using Mathematics and 

Computational Thinking 

   

Constructing Explanations and 

Designing Solutions 

  

Engaging in Argument From 

Evidence 

Obtaining, Evaluating, and 

Communicating Information 

 

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Students 

https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students 

40  Next Gen STEM 

Alignment of Activities With ISTE Standards for Students 

Standard Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude of a 

Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

Knowledge Constructor 

3d   

Innovative Designer 

4a 

4c  

4d 

Computational Thinker 

5c  

Global Collaborator 

7c    
 

 

 

Propulsion With the Space Launch System 

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics 

http://www.corestandards.org/Math/ 

41  Next Gen STEM 

Alignment of Activities With CCSS Grade -Level Content Standards by Domain 

Standard Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude 

of a Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

6th Grade 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.B.3 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.5  

7th Grade 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.2  

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.NS.A.3  

Alignment of Activities With CCSS Standards for Mathematical Practice 

Practice Design a Foam Rocket 

With Stabilizing Fins 

Track the Altitude 

of a Rocket 

Build a Multistage 

Balloon Rocket 

Optimize a Water 

Rocket Engine 

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1   

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3   

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5    

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6 

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7 

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP8 
Back cover: Illustration depicting NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) in the Block 1 cargo configuration as it leaves Earth. The solid 

rocket boosters produce 75 percent of the thrust to launch the vehicle and then separate from the SLS rocket after being expended. 

(NASA) 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters 

300 E Street Southwest 

Washington DC 20024-3210 

www.nasa.gov 

NP-2020-02-2804-HQ