ORLAFOG – AN EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING, RESEARCH AND OUTREACH

Abstract

The use of educational rockets as a pedagogical resource stands out as an effective strategy for scientific dissemination and for stimulating logical reasoning at different educational levels. This work shows how a project was able to spark the interest of students and teachers and generate learning from the construction and launch of experimental educational rockets, an activity that requires the application of the scientific method, aerodynamic and stability calculations, the choice of appropriate materials, and the organization of teamwork. The proposal brings young people closer to science in a playful and practical way, addressing the growing interest in the subject and the importance of integrating school, community, and scientific culture. The development of the activities took place through the offering of workshops, reception of students, and participation in dissemination events, with emphasis on the two editions of ORLAFOG (Rocket Olympics of the Lakes Region), organized by the IFRockets team, and made possible by approval in a CNPq call for proposals. The results obtained demonstrated a strong engagement of the participants, reflected in the formation of new rocket teams, increased participation in competitions, and the intensification of scientific reasoning in the classroom. Furthermore, there was significant participation from the school community of different institutions, including families, reinforcing the project's potential as a bridge between science and society. Thus, the experience proved that the use of didactic rockets goes beyond mere entertainment, establishing itself as a teaching tool capable of sparking vocations, consolidating interdisciplinary practices, and contributing to the dissemination of science.