Rocket Launch Culminates Science Unit
As hundreds of colorful rockets were launched into the sky at Woodhull Intermediate School, there was a noticeable degree of enthusiasm in the air. The event culminated a popular science unit and delighted students and parents.
The launch is an annual ritual for sixth graders and it produces lots of wide-eyes and amazement year-after-year. Many of the rockets soared high into the air and others carried a great distance. A few went off in unintended directions, but regardless of their ultimate destination, students were happy.
"I had no idea my rocket would go so high," student Jailene Durate said. "It was great." The youngsters admired each other's rockets and posed for photos, before waiting their turn at the launch pad. Many parents turned out to watch and chatted off to the side. Students often cheered for each other and generally got a "kick" out of the experience.
The recent science unit included engineering, physics and an explanation of battery power. The students even painted and decorated their rockets prior to launching them. The exercise brought the concepts of thrust, gravity and friction, along with the issues of force and motion, into better focus.
Students spent almost three weeks constructing the rockets during their science classes. Science teachers Allison VonVange, Paul Esposito and Mark Helstrom coordinated the massive launch. "The whole project was so much fun, from the building of my rocket and painting it to finally seeing it fly," student Rebecca Caballero said. "It was cool."
Sixth grader Malia Davis felt the rocket launch was great because "it was great to see all my friends having such an amazing time. Everyone was smiling and laughing. The rockets made such a loud noise and went so high."
"It's so rewarding to see the students' faces when their rocket is launched," Ms. VonVange said. "This year was a huge success. We can hardly wait until next year to do it again." Messrs. Esposito and Helstrom enthusiastically nodded their agreement.
The Huntington School District has traditionally taken great pride in offering a comprehensive science program. Teachers say that elementary grade level students have an especially strong desire for experimentation and exploration and the rocket launch taps into those interests.
The Woodhull students erected outdoor launching pads and teachers provided them with assistance rigging the rockets to a battery power. After the units ascended up toward the clouds, the rockets floated back to the ground thanks to tiny parachutes that were carefully tucked into the cavity of each rocket.
Principal Mary Stokkers credited the teachers "for making the launch such a success." Some parents pitched in to help, too. For example, Rob Roday, the father of Rachel Roday, a student in Mr. Esposito's class, created a four-site launch station that allowed students to launch quickly.
"The weather was less-than-inviting at first, with gusting winds and eerie black clouds looming overhead," Mr. Esposito said. Once Mrs. Stokkers gave the go-ahead for the launch, the teachers worked frantically to set-up launch sites and tried to compensate for the wind.
The "white" team launched on the lower athletic field, while "blue" and "red" teams launched near the playground equipment. "The 'white' team lost seven of its first eight rockets, having them blown into Woodhull Road, but an angle adjustment of the swivel mount assembly allowed most of the remaining rockets to be recovered by the students," Mr. Esposito said.
Successful launches were met with cheers. Students often chased after their rocket as it made its descent. Many of the parents who turned out for the launch snapped photos to show family members and to keep as mementos.
"Many students bragged about their successes and boasted that they would be re-launching their rockets with new engines or purchasing larger rockets in the future," Mr. Esposito said. "Parents were also blown away by the rockets' success and watched from the sidelines like excited fans at a Blue Devils football game."
Mr. Esposito got into the spirit by creating a special design on his rocket featuring the faces of the members of the rock band KISS, along with fire and red and black paint.
Fifth graders are already looking forward to next year when it will be their turn at the launch pad. The tradition has spanned many years and the excitement associated with it hasn't dissipated yet.