For the months of September and October of 2005 I was very busy enjoying my job as
a model rocketeer teaching my passion to 3 different classes at 3 different schools in the
southern New Hampshire area. These classes were part of the Boys & Girls Club of
Greater Nashua after school program and were held at the Pennichuck Elementary and
Fairgrounds Elementary schools in Nashua and the Mastricola Upper Elementary school in
Merrimack. Click on any of the image links below to go to the
appropriate photo album. Below these links I provide a summary description of the
class syllabus.
In each of the three classes we broke the
weeks up as described below:
Week 1) Introduction and begin construction
on the Triskelion
model rocket kit. Also introduced the students to different types of rocketry, the
parts of a model rocket, parts of a model rocket motor and help with general techniques.
Homework about the parts of model rocket were handed out.
Week 2) Having left the unfinished models in
the classroom, we complete the construction of the Triskelion kits and discuss model
preparation for flight. How to install an igniter, install the motor in the rocket,
the use of recovery wadding and the folding and insertion of the parachute. We also
covered the Safety Code and finishing techniques. The students were then instructed
to bring the models home to paint and get ready for flight
Week 3) First Flight! On this day we
gathered in the classroom and revisited model rocket preparation, then I handed out the
motors and igniters, giving the students the choice between an A8-3 or a B6-4, explaining
the risks of loosing your rocket with the bigger motor. Flights were perfect with
100% successful ignition, launch and recovery. We did loose one rocket to the trees
and I lost one of my demo models (my proto-type Rock Star!)
Week 4) Lecture. The kids never seem
to like this part of the course, but it is important and I do my best to keep it
interesting. Here we spend the afternoon going over rocket stability, CG/CP
relationships and how to modify them. We cover basic body, nose cone and fin shapes
and why some are preferred over others for specific needs. We also cover finishing
techniques in greater detail talking about how to shape the edges of your fins and why you
would do this, how to fill, seal and prime your balsawood and paper items, and such.
Week 5) Rhino! During this
week we begin construction of the Rhino kit. I explain that, unlike the Triskelion
kit, the Rhino has not fin-jig and as a result the fins are a bit trickier to get on.
Our goal today is to get the engine mount assembled, the parachute assembled and at
least one fin attached. The students take advantage of the fact that you can use 3
or 4 fins and that you have many shape and mounting options, even with the laser cut fins
provided. The students take the rocket kits home to finish with the fin application.
Week 6) The students complete their Rhino
kits and we got over flight prep again for next weeks launch. Since most of the
construction was already completed during the week, we spend the bulk of this week with
graph paper, pencils and our imaginations and take the lessons we have learned to design
our own rocket. I inform the students that if they design a rocket that they truly
want to build that they can purchase parts at a large discount to help them out.
Week 7) Last day of class, Rhino launch!
Here we launch our Rhino kits. The students are given the choice of a B or C motor
and are pretty much left on their own as they should know this by now. true to form,
not a single student asks for assistance and they all prep their models to perfection.
In addition to these models, they are encouraged to bring back their Triskelion kit
and any other kits they may have. They are told that they will have to provide their
own motors for anything other than the Rhino flight. Every launch went off without a
hitch. 100% on ignition, launch, flight and recovery. We didn't loose a single
one!
And that's the class. Not ever class went in that
order. One of the classes had the first launch scrubbed due to rain so we switched
week 4 and 5, another had the last launch scrubbed due to rain and we are scheduled to
launch next week. |
