Valdez Eighth Graders Blast Off
Students run through safety checklists and prepare to launch rockets. Photo by Amanda Jones
February 17, 2023
Amanda Jones - CRR Staff
During February 6-8, the 8th grade Gilson Middle School (GMS) students in Valdez finished their science unit on forces and gravity, culminating in each student building and launching a model rocket. Weather and many students traveling for sports delayed the launches by about a week, but in the end, most students followed detailed instructions meticulously and had successful launches.
Students began learning about forces, gravity, and chemical reactions upon re-turning to class in January. Students were very excited with the project, though they had to exhibit a lot of patience as they spent several weeks learning exactly how thrust is created and controlled. Coming into class, students petitioned daily, “Are we building rockets yet?”
When the build week finally arrived, about 60 students were gone from classes on Thursday and Friday in order to travel with the middle school wrestling and volleyball teams, greatly reducing class sizes. Heavy snow storms also interrupted several planned launch days. These factors necessitated staggered launch days. Students stomped down snow on the school’s outdoor track to clear space to view the launches multiple times.
Science teachers had to reach out for community expertise and support when it was realized that a launch controller was not sent with the other rocket materials. Inquiries to suppliers found that a launch controller, which provides the electric charge for engine ignition, could not be sent in time for the scheduled launch days.
Gilson Middle School student Ava Ruhl builds a model rocket. Photo by Amanda Jones
Community volunteer (and teacher/author’s husband) Josh Jones spent the weekend building a launch controller for the science program, complete with a buzzer to note when the controller was armed for launch.
Students created their own checklists to ensure safe launches and rocket recoveries. As they had learned through the unit, most model rocket failures happen with the parachute and recovery system. Analyzing data afterward, students found they also fit into this data set.
While there were only a few students who had an issue with their rocket ignition, about 40% of all rockets launched had parachutes that did not deploy as planned. In an effort to not litter, several students volunteered to wade through waist-deep snow to recover rockets that landed in the middle of the school football field.
By the start of the Elks Tournament in Valdez on February 9th, all students had the opportunity to launch their model rockets. Each time, whoops and cheers were heard from peers as another rocket shot into the sky. Students were very proud of their work and the culmination of their efforts.
The rocket launch unit was made possible by Ann Norris, 8th-grade science teacher at GMS, who applied for a grant to fund the unit from American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. The unit of study was a cooperation of the National Science Teacher Association, Estes Rockets, and AIAA.
Disclosure: Amanda Jones is a teacher at Valdez City School.
