The rocket launch at the Grant Math/Science Magnet School was not billed as a competition. Rather, it was to be the culmination of a nine-week science project.
But sixth-graders Tina Milivojevic, Jennifer Conrard, Carina Lagunas and Nina Nguyen were determined to propel their soda-bottle rocket, named “Phantom of the Opera,” higher into the skies above Mission Hills than any of the others.
“It worked,” said Jennifer, whose job it was to pump enough air into the rocket using a tire pump. “It's definitely the highest.”
Hundreds of students – from kindergarteners to seventh-graders – gathered around the campus blacktop to watch the rockets and cheer on the young engineers on Thursday.
Grant's rocket project is part of a new curriculum from TekSprout, a San Diego nonprofit science education program that teams middle school students with science professionals.
Middle school students worked in teams with university students and officials from the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Using physics lessons, the students designed, built and tested their rockets.
“It's about speed, velocity, mass and air pressure,” said Tina, a member of the all-girl team that designed the high-flying Phantom rocket. “This is just a Sierra Mist bottle with a rubber ball and fins. It would be cool to work on a real rocket.”
Organizers hope to expand their curriculum to other schools. Ultimately, they want to encourage children to become interested in science.
“We want to give kids exposure to careers in science and hands-on science instruction in the classroom,” said Dianne Agarwal of TekSprout. “It promotes problem-solving and teamwork, and it's fun.”
Museum representatives were impressed with the rockets. They were also happy to see the students outdoors.
“These days, its tough for kids to get out of the classroom to do hands-on stuff,” said Francis French, who heads the education program at the Air & Space Museum. “So many teachers are busy preparing students for tests.”
Maureen Magee: (619) 293-1369; maureen.magee@uniontrib.com
