Rocket mechanics: design of an inter/transdiciplinary didactic proposal included in the new scientific-humanistic high school curriculum

Abstract

The objective of this work is the design of an inter/transdisciplinary didactic proposal with STS and STEM approach, included in the new scientific-humanistic high school curriculum, for the study of rocket mechanics. A series of activities are proposed where the rocket problem is contextualized together with the reflection on how and why to put an artificial satellite into orbit. Its development is carried out by transdisciplinary groups of students belonging to the “Physics”, “Limits, derivatives and integrals” and “Computational thinking and programming” courses of the differentiated training plan. Numerical simulations are used for students to integrate the knowledge of the three disciplines. Finally, evaluation instruments are developed for the final products, process and self-/co-evaluation. In this way, the achievement of learning outcomes and the development of 21st century attitudes and skills are verified.