Category: Friday

Rockets 2022, Friday, Site Set Up Complete and Rockets on the Rail

A 7:00 a.m. call to move out for ABC-1 started the day for all SystemsGo team and schools. The mission, to accomplish all preparations for tomorrow’s launches. All personnel arrived at the site at 8:15 am and quickly began preparations.

Scott Netherland, George Burns and Ginger Burow set up the electronics trailer and the fill and fire system. Steve Burow set up the pad, rails and wiring for the launch rails. Students from the teams helped erect the rails before finishing work on their vehicles.

Rebekah Hyatt and Andrew Matthes coordinated all the final checks for each of the rockets, while students worked through their Flight Readiness Reviews. WSMR range personnel assisted the team.

Three graduates from Hamilton High School, Caleb Lengefeld, Kash Kneuper, and Taylor Long, volunteered to help on range. It was their first time to see what the Goddard program was really like. They were students of the program but did not get to do Goddard due to financial constraints at their school. They helped set up the pad, load the gas tank truck, and helped with pressure checks during the FRR’s for each rocket. For launches tomorrow they will assist as needed at the pad and manhandle Nitrous and Gox bottles. All three said they were really enjoying seeing the program in action, helping with it and learning new things about how it works.

Schools Participating are Alamo Heights, Union Grove, Fredericksburg, and Brazoswood. Fredericksburg and Union Grove were fit with charges and loaded onto the rails for launch tomorrow morning. Brazoswood and Alamo Heights will load pyros in the morning.

Pop up showers passed around the site to the south throughout the day, occasionally dropping spotty drizzle. Mostly they just kept the temperatures out of the 100’s and produced a cool breeze which was most appreciated. WSMR personnel reported that there could be a delay due to storms in the morning. We are hoping they will pass through before our T times.

The caravan of 17 vehicles plus WSMR personnel vehicles left the test site by 5:15 headed in for the evening. Food and showers were top priorities upon returning to the hotels.

Launch order for Saturday is as follows:

  • Union Grove
  • Fredericksburg
  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood

Saturday’s schedule is the following:

  • Saturday, June 25th
    1. Launch Day (All Four Rockets, if possible, at 2-hour intervals.)
    2. Depart from WSMR Rt 21 gate by 5:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. arrival on site.
    3. Projected launch schedule:
      • T1 8:00 am. -Union Grove
      • T2 10:00 am. -Fredericksburg
      • T3 12:00 pm. -Alamo Heights
      • T4 2:00 pm. – Brazoswood
      • 5:00 pm. – Range Time Ends

SystemsGo now has two launch rails and both will be in operation tomorrow. A rocket will be loaded onto each rail and then tested in sequence with only time out for safety. The launch team will be required to evacuate during each launch; and then return to swap out gas and electrical connections between the rails.

Launches are to commence at 8:00 am. Saturday morning. All SystemsGo personnel and schools will be headed out to the range at 5:00 am.

After the first two launches, WSMR personnel will attempt to locate and retrieve the rockets for the students while the other two rockets are loaded onto the rails. Mission complete will be at 5:00 pm. and all personnel must leave the range. If all four launch on time then everyone will be asked to help tear down and pack up equipment before leaving. If this is not accomplished by range end time it would mean returning on Sunday to complete it.

Realistically, this is a very tight launch sequence with little to no room for errors. As we know, errors can and do occasionally happen and can cause severe delays in the launch schedule and hinder time availability.

If we do not get all four launches done tomorrow, we do have Sunday as a contingency day with a similar time schedule as Saturday’s as allowed by WSMR. It is preferable to not have to use Sunday for more than clean up if at all.

Best of luck to all schools so that they may have a successful launch tomorrow.

Event details will continue to be available here. I will provide more information each morning as to how the schedule and other event details will progress for that day and how launches went for the schools testing that day. Pictures are not allowed on the range, but some pictures of teams getting ready to leave for the range with their vehicles might be available. If anything is available I will post it for your viewing pleasure.

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org. Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#Rockets2022 #SystemsGo #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #WSMRRocketLaunch2022

Rockets 2022-WSMR, Saturday Launch Day Report

Three of four schools tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today. Fredericksburg, Alamo Heights and Union Grove comprised that list.  The fourth school, Brazoswood will be first up tomorrow morning.

An one hour delay, five minutes before our first T time began a series of events today, that left our clock too short to complete our mission today. Union Grove was on the rail ready for launch when the range called the delay. After it’s completion, the crew evacuated and launched the UG rocket.

Union Grove High School proved to be the big winner of the day, because they were the only school to leave the rail. They climbed to 15,400’ before rolling over and returning to the range ballistic. It was a beautiful flight. WSMR personnel did recover it. After digging it out they brought it back to the site in one large piece and several smaller. It was a good day for Union Grove! It was a good start to the day with the first launch as a successful lift off. Congratulations on another good launch.

Fredericksburg was the second launch. They were on the old rail and ready for launch when the hydraulic ram on the rail failed. Fredericksburg had to be off loaded to the newer rail while team members trouble shot the issues with the old rail. unfortunately the old rail was not available for further launches today, and may not be this round.

Fredericksburg went for fill after relocating, but developed a permanent venting. The team decided to go for launch as it was. Launch sequence was initiated and the vehicle failed to lift off. Pad reported that it had only minor ignition and no injection. The rocket was removed from the rail and given back to the students for trouble shooting to see if they think they could repair it and go for a second T time.

Alamo Heights loaded onto the rail next. At 3:36 they attempted their launch. Their vehicle also failed to leave the rail. Initially pad reported ignition, injection or any burn or smoke. Several minutes later, as the bunker crew was evaluating the possibility resetting and attempting a second launch, the nitrous lines failed and blew apart leaving the vehicle inoperable.

At this point WSMR called complete and released our airspace for the day. Alamo Heights was removed from the rail for evaluation. They determined later that they could not repair and relaunch the rocket.

Brazoswood was supposed to be the final launch of the day. This year’s launch is also only the second time this school has been to WSMR. Instead of closing out the day, they will open launches on Sunday, as we continue into our contingency window.

Test Center Commander, Colonel Smart, from White Sands Missile Range, visited the launch site today.

Mission was called complete by WSMR at 5:16 p.m. today as the team and schools pulled away from the site.

The convoy slowed briefly along the route home to see several groups of Oryxes grazing on the range, as well as a double rainbow spreading across the sky in front of the line of cars retreating back to civilization.

Tomorrow’s schedule will be much like today’s. A Very early start in order to meet our 8:00 am. T times. Breakfast bags provided by the hotel will be ready for pickup by 4:30. The convoy will meet at WSMR Rt 21 by 5:00 am.

  • Sunday, June 26th
    1. Contingency Launch Day (Two Rockets, if possible, at 2-hour intervals.)
    2. Depart from WSMR Rt 21 gate by 5:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. arrival on site.
    3. Projected launch schedule:
      • T1 8:00 am. -Brazoswood
      • T2 10:00 am. -Fredericksburg
      • T3 12:00 pm. – Open
      • 3:30 pm. – Range Time Ends

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#Rockets2022 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience

Rockets 2022 Central Texas/Stonewall Launches continued today, Friday, May 13, 2022

Rockets 2022, Central Texas Edition, continued today, Friday the 13th! The original schedule listed 18 rockets for today. Two schools, Victoria East, and New Tech Odessa, checked in minus their projected numbers, so that brought the launch schedule down to 15.

Rockets were slow through Stage 1 and 2, and then the first few up had some minor issues on the pad that put them back in Stage 3 for repairs. All these factors meant that start time for the first launches moved back considerably. It was closer to noon before the first vehicles left the pad for the skies.

Once launches started, the schedule was accomplished in three volleys plus one single launch. It was a slow starting, but productive day. Tomorrow only has six rockets on the schedule. That does not mean it will be a short day. That is the hope, but it always remains to be seen. Test vehicles like these quite often push the time schedules, it could be a short day or a long one. The team is hoping to call it complete early. After tomorrow, the Texas Rocket Trail will be at an end for another season.

Pictures from the day’s events are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow

Tomorrow’s launches will continue at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road with Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Saturday, May 14, 2022
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2022 Flight Schedule for Saturday
  • Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Gary HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, Hamilton HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS
  • 6 expected rockets for testing on Saturday
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 8:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org . Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2022

ROCKETS 2022, Riding the Skies From Five Spring Launch Locations

SystemsGo Rockets 2022 is already in full swing. Launches begin in less than two weeks. Necessities and logistics for all  Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado launch venues have been established. Travel plans were also lined out.

Colorado is a new addition for this year. Last year, Canon City, came to Stonewall as a new school, launching for their first time. This year SystemsGo is launching in Colorado at a new venue –  Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Canon City is still the only school launching but other schools will come to see it in action as they evaluate joining the program.

Things are returning to normal for the spring launches:

1. There will be onsite concessions again this year at each location.

2. We will have a spectator tent at the NTX and CTX events available to viewing public. We do still encourage schools to bring their own extra shelters (10×10) and to be courteous to all participants  respecting those still practicing social distancing since there is still some COVID activity.

3. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2022. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

4. Face coverings are not required, but optional. 

5. There will also be handwashing stations and portable restrooms available.

6. Google Map links to each location are also available and listed under the venue at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

7. A livestream link will be announced on this same information page under the individual event’s section closer to time.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 26-28, weather contingency day on the 29th
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 28-29,  weather contingency day on the 30th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • U.S. Army Fort Carson Colorado, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site — May 2
    • 36086 U.S Highway 350, Model, Colorado 81059
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 5-7,  weather contingency day May 8
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 12-14,  weather contingency day on May 15th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

Current schedules for launches show about 165 vehicles expected for launch at the spring launch sites.

Excitement is building and plans are under way. Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

Event details will continue to be available here.

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved; the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2022 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMCORockets2022

The Countdown Has Begun for ROCKETS 2022!

SystemsGo staff  met last week Wednesday evening, to line out details for the upcoming Rockets 2022 launches.  Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director; Scott Netherland, Executive Director; George Burns, Jr., Assistant Program Director; Doug Kimbrell, Board President; and Phil Houseal, Communications Director; with Kirk Moore, Regional Director for Southeast Texas;  and Doug Underwood, Regional Director for North Texas joining on video. Also in attendance were volunteers, Steve Burow and Ginger Burow.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas launch locations were discussed. Venues for lodging, and all needed equipment for each launch site were decided and individuals lined out to secure them . Travel plans were also lined out.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • April 26-28, 2022-Jal, New Mexico
  • April 28-29, 2022-North Texas/Jack County
  • May 2, 2022 Pinon-Canyon, Colorado
  • May 5-7, 2022-Southeast Texas/Smith Point
  • May 12-14, 2022-Central Texas/Stonewall

Current schedules are still populating, so final vehicle totals are not yet available, but  the lineup is building for the spring launches. A call for volunteers has gone out. If you are interested in helping at one of the launches email SystemsGo at info@systemsgo.org .

Excitement is building and plans are under way. More updates will be posted as events get closer. Watch for changes that may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in about two months. Rockets are back on the radar and nearly ready to fly.

Event details will continue to be available here.

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved; the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2022

Oberth Teacher Training At SystemsGo This Past Weekend

Regional Coordinator, Doug Underwood conducted Oberth trainings, this past weekend, July 31- August 1 here in Fredericksburg.  Hollenstein, Georgetown and McGregor High Schools attended.  This level teaches students in their Senior year about Transonic rockets, which are designed to break the speed of sound.

I sat in on their class for about an hour and a half on Saturday morning. Since Oberth rockets aim to break the speed of sound, that was a criteria talking point. When I was there, they were discussing an experiment meant to simulate the flight of the rocket in order to determine needed calculations. The actual exercise is the flight and descent of a ball. Literally tossing it in the air and watching it land again in a prescribed bucket of water. Figuring out what is needed to accomplish this seemingly ordinary action, helps the students get a basis of what is needed to begin to understand what they need for their rocket.

They started with a list of Givens that needed to be determined. These are all things that the students can either measure or look up in order to find the value. A few examples are mass, diameter, density, altitude, velocity, thrust, etc. This is just the short version of the list they created. I watched and listened as they began figuring answers to the listed items.

It was interesting to watch and see how quickly they answered some of the items. Others were answered, but then only created more questions to be determined. What is fascinating is that the teacher is more of a coach or director. He never directly answers the questions for them, but only lightly directs them by asking other questions. This is exactly how these teachers will have to react with their future students.

Doug Underwood put it this way, when answering one of these teachers questions, “Don’t limit your students. They are capable, if given the opportunity, of much more than you might believe.”

An important issue that arose was what measuring system to use, metric or imperial? It was suggested to actually do work in both forms, because it may be necessary to calculate something back from one standard or another.

Note taking was also a highlighted subject. Notes in this curriculum are essential and begin the basis for which each student will work down the line. This is important from the very beginning of this program on. Each year builds on the next, therefore notes from the prior year will still be needed and added to the following year.

At this point, Phil Houseal, came in to get a photo and I took the opportunity to do the samae. Discussions about where everyone was from, got the group off track for a bit. A young lady in the class told us about where she was from in South Carolina and the deep south atmosphere the small town still projected. It was a very interesting and enlightening discussion, but one for her to share. It was time for the class to get back on track. Phil and I both excused ourselves.

Unfortunately I didn’t get back to the class again, but I did take a lot away from it. And that is true for every one of the classes I sat in on the past few weeks. This is a truly amazing learning opportunity that is available to students of any school that enrolls in the SystemsGo program. The wealth of knowledge that is afforded them through this program, as well as the numerous array of career paths available afterwards is more than worth the time invested.

If your students do not have this program at their school yet. It is time to look into it and encourage your school administrators to get involved. Your students will be greatly benefited. I have followed many students from this program into their future endeavors. No matter where they end up, STEM field, FDIC banking manager, or family business, each one cites this program as having giving them a basis for where they are today. What they learn in SystemsGo transfers greatly to the outside world and future careers.

IMG_7009

Thank you to Regional Director, Doug Underwood, student teachers, Jonathan Whatley, McGregor HS, Nicole Bolen, Georgetown HS, and Dan Strickland, Hollenstein HS for allowing me to observe again. It has been fun getting to know them and other teachers these past few weeks. I will look forward to seeing them in the spring at the launches.

If you are still not dreaming of rockets, you obviously do need to hang out with this crew more! Come check it out! 

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#RideTheSky! #Rockets2022 RocketSeason!

Tsiolkovsky Teacher Training in Fredericksburg, Day 5-end Game

Tsiolkovsky training closed just after noon today. The group spent the morning addressing questions that arose on the PDR. After which they produced a rocket with a 1lb payload capable of 1 mile of altitude above ground level using RockSim. 

FRRs were done on their simulated vehicle as well as on the three rockets Rbekah had there as examples. Jabberwocky the door sentinel was one of these. 
img_6927

Time priorities were discussed and stressed. Teaching the students to have their vehicle completed a few weeks prior to launch so that they are ready when they arrive at the range to launch is essential. That was a wrap for the class.

students expressed great enjoyment and vast learning from this class.

Regional Coordinator, Doug Underwood, will conduct Oberth trainings. July 31- August 1 here in Fredericksburg..  Hollenstein, Georgetown and McGregor High Schools will be in attendance.  This level teaches students in their Senior year about Transonic rockets, which are designed to break the speed of sound.

Until tomorrow, if you are not dreaming of rockets, you obviously have not hung out with this crew enough! Do you think maybe you should? Encourage the schools in your area to join the program.

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#RideTheSky! #Rockets2022 RocketSeason!

Tsiolkovsky Teacher Training in Fredericksburg, Day 4

Today the class began learning the Design and Development Loop, and its application this process to rocketry.  They first developed a Problem Statement, which identified the initial task, build a rocket.

As seen here on the board, their problem statement is:

With a budget of $900 and launch date of May 1st a recoverable and reusable rocket must be built, designed, and launched. The rocket must carry a one pound scientific payload to an altitude of one mile AGL(above ground level).

IMG_6993

Next they used a brainstorming session to develop a list of components needed to create and launch this rocket: 

  • fire wadding
  • proof of altitude
  • timeline/budget
  • body tube
  • nosecone
  • launch lugs
  • engine
  • ignition
  • rail
  • fins
  • motor mount
  • recovery system
  • payload
  • launch area
  • components
  • rail

This was the beginning point they used to narrow down specific component groups they believed were related and should be grouped together. Next they identified individual team members to work that specific group :

  • ignition/engine/motor mount–Mel/Amy
  • recovery–Dan/Brian
  • fins/lugs/body/nosecone/(fire wadding)/compartments–Derek/Johnathan
  • payload/proof of altitude–Bryant/Nicole

Each team set out with their component and began research. They were given 2 hours to go on an in depth fact finding mission. Here are just a few of the many problems before them to address:

  • What are their options for each component?
  • What materials are available to them?
  • Is the chosen material within their budget?
  • Does a particular option make a difference in over all success over another option?
  • What kind of Impulse will it take to get the rocket to a mile high?

These were just starting points. They began with reasonable assumptions of what they believed they needed, and then began to hone in on actualities through research, further brainstorming, and generating alternative solutions.

The teams were allowed and encouraged to discuss options and ideas in order to determine how each team’s component  would work with the rest. The idea was to design a vehicle together so that it would not fail.

By 4:00 p.m. each team would have to present their idea and be able to prove why they chose this option. Their idea would have to pass a Preliminary Design Review(PDR), in order to establish the operational effectiveness of their chosen system.

During the short time I was there and able to listen in on their brainstorming, I heard questions about phenolic resin, fiber carbon bodies(quickly pitched due to expense), nose cone shape and sizing, chute deployment ideas, and payload weights and options. At the time that I left, the payload had been determined to be chocolate ice cream with the stipulation that Rebekah and I would get to share it if it survived. 

These teachers have not actually built these vehicles before, so they are in the same place their future students will be. They are expected to do everything the way they will be instructing their students to do, only the students will actually build the physical rocket and will have a semester in which to do it, instead of a day. 

It is a very in depth learning experience.  The program is designed to enable the students to think through the process themselves in order to figure out what has to be done and accomplish it. 

Until tomorrow, if you are not dreaming of rockets, you obviously have not hung out with this crew enough! And it is time you do!

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#RideTheSky! #Rockets2022 RocketSeason!

Tsiolkovsky Teacher Training Generation 3 on Day 3

Today was the culmination of the first semester training for the class. They were introduced to modeling using Rock Sim and given a challenge to design and build a rocket. They had a Stability Margin of 1-2 and an altitude goal of 1500′ to 2200′ depending on the motor size they chose.

Motor C was designed for the 2200′ goal, and motor B for the 1500′ goal. Each teacher was asked to design a rocket based on the location and demographics of their school. This includes actual open space for a launch and recovery radius and encompasses surrounding entities like airports, neighborhoods, and businesses that would need to be avoided in these projections. Determining these factors would help each teacher decide which motor and height requirement would be viable for their school’s location.

Once they have clarified these requirements, they design their rocket using RockSim. This program helps them determine the rocket’s height and speed possibilities. When their design and development is complete they print out their schematics and build their rocket.

At completion a Flight Readiness Review is done. The goal is to build and test the vehicle in one day. This meant launching by 5:00 pm.

Most of the class had started the building stage when I arrived. A few were still designing on the computer. Any manner of tools and adhesives were in continuous use around the room passing from one person to the next. Dremel tools with grinder wheels and filing tips created a constant buzz.

One observation about these new vehicles was their size. In the past days the rockets lengths had ranged from about 6 to 12 inches, give or take a little. These Generation 3 rockets were more of the 3 to 6 inch range.

In the two days prior the teachers seemed more laid back and quiet as they constructed their rockets. Today, the room buzzed and their was a sense of urgency and even slight elation as they worked.

They stayed busy, but still found time to make comments about their own or a friends current design.

One student asked if his nose cone had to be symmetrical? This received many looks and comments from his colleagues. This same student was questioned repeatedly about how he was planning on his nose cone deploying since it was heavily taped in at the time. He planned to remove most of the tape prior to launch, stating that it was only there until everything was set.

Another discussion about a unit of measurement called a slug caused great trepidation for a couple of the gentlemen in the class. One of them commented that a person would have to be an engineer to understand that unit of measurement. The gentleman with the nose cone question, “I am an engineer.”

However, our friend, Nicole, from yesterday, was smiling. She was energetically working on her new rocket. She had a renewed sense of confidence in her abilities today, after her successful launch yesterday.

The group was far from complete and launches were quite a ways out yet when my visit for the day came to an end. They did launch close to 5:00 that afternoon. When I drove by after work, they were just heading back to the shop.

Tomorrow and then until around 1:00pm on Friday, they will be delving into the second semester of the Tsiolkovsky class. Among the criteria will be designing a 1lb/1 mile rocket.

Until tomorrow, if you are not dreaming of rockets, you obviously have not hung out with this crew enough!

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#RideTheSky! #Rockets2022 RocketSeason!

Tsiolkovsky Training Continues Day 2 at FHS

Tuesday morning the class spent converting their Generation 1 Rockets into Generation 2 Rockets. Stability was a primary component of the redesign. Once the vehicle was cut and only the bottom half returned to work with, new development began. Students had to take into account weight, thrust, impulse momentum, drag and lift.

They also had to create flight profile predictions based on their design and calculations, and a flight readiness review of their vehicle.

Here are some of their Generation 2 rockets:

When I arrived at class, they were not all back from lunch. One student, Cole Bolen, was waiting outside the door. I asked her how things were going so far? She expressed great disappointment in her own Gen 1 and now Gen 2 rockets. She said that she was good at math, the calculations, and scribing her ideas down on paper, but her hands on application was in her words, “a disaster.”

“In every group I have ever been in, whether school or college, I am always the scribe. I can do the calculations and put it beautifully on paper. People I worked with learned quickly that what ever I touch falls apart. Even at home, my husband makes me the gopher while he does the heavy work,” she lamented.

“When building my Gen 1 I focused too much on making it “look” like a rocket, instead of the functionality of the rocket. When I was done it looked great, but the flight was terrible,” she said. “It barely left the rail, turned sideways, headed for the group and luckily crashed into the ground. I don’t want to be that person that gets someone injured because my project blew up!” Cole sighed.

As we talked, I told her it was alright, at least it got off the rail. Her students would see that as a success, and then they would learn more while analyzing and determining what went wrong, just as she was now doing. She agreed and said that was one of her concerns about one day conveying these principles to her students.

“I guess I know that if it had been an automatic success, then I wouldn’t have learned much. This way I am determined to fix it for the next one,” she said.

Today, when having to take what she described as the bottom half of a charred and dirty mess, and once again create a rocket that was supposed to be functional and fly, she found it a very daunting task. She said she had done great at drawing it all out, but just couldn’t get it to stay together. She was concerned that it would once again blow apart leaving the rail.

I expressed to her that I was sure it would be better today than she thought. I told her that in this program a failed launched is still a successful learning opportunity. To quote a friend, “In order for a rocket to fly, 1000 things must go right, but it only takes one for it to fail.” It is in determining what caused the failure that a new success is born as well as a new chance to do better.

The rest of the class returned about this time and each gathered their rockets and we headed out to the launch field. All the rockets flew, except one. That one still left the rail after an interesting spinning episode and it landed just a few feet from the rail.

Cole’s flew beautifully. The chute deployed and all was recovered. Her only mishap was that it came down in two sections that were not connected. She proved to herself that she could do this.

In the grand scheme of things, that is what this program is all about. Both the teachers, and their future students, learning all the STEM applications of the program, and then designing, developing, discerning, attaining, applying and presenting all they have learned in a workable completed project. Once the project is complete, it is the massive amount of take away that goes with each of them and helps develop their futures that matters the most.

Yes each one wants their rocket to be a success in terms of flight. That is the goal, but here success is really measured in the inspired hope and plans of each student as they head out to do something great in their future.

Congratulations, Cole! Now on to Generation 3 with new confidence in what you are learning, what you can do, and what you will be able to teach your students in the future. You already have a head start on problem solving. Thank you for sharing your experience with me and my readers.

Below is a Facebook link to the videos I attempted to take of the launches. Please excuse my videoing. With the bright sun I did not do too well at keeping the camera in the right place.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ginger.burow&set=a.4409145962439834

After the launches, the class headed back in to pour over their Flight Readiness Reviews for both their Gen 2 rockets and their upcoming Gen 3’s. They will be discussing impulse, drag and lift, and resistance along with a focus on problem solving.

Rebekah, referred to the upcoming section as the Gen 3 Challenge. Generation 3 will be a whole new build. I will leave it at that for now, so as to not give away any new things that will be part of this challenge, in case they have not been introduced yet. Tomorrow should be another interesting, challenging and fun day.

Until tomorrow, if you are not dreaming of rockets, you obviously have not hung out with this crew enough!

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

#RideTheSky! #Rockets2022 RocketSeason!