Sonoran Science Academy - 1st Launch - March 13, 2009

As you can imagine, the Sonoran Science Academy (http://sonoranacedemy.org/) 3rd grade students were hyped and ready to launch their rockets after all the work they put into building and learning about them.


The launches were spectacular! They really enjoyed launching, watching and recovering their rockets.


They even used Alan's Launch Box that was described in an earlier post here. Check out that post if you are interested in building one of your own.


We also used Roborocketry's Quad Pad Launch Rack for loading up four at a time. This worked out great for the size of group and allowed us to make adjustments for wind, etc, without having to move and re-stake four separate single launch pads. We were very happy with the results. You can check out an earlier post for the decription of building that rack.


For this launch we used B6-4 motors to launch the Estes Loadstar rockets they had built. They were all single stage launches. Two weeks later they would all launch their rockets in the 2 stage configuration.


I will now stop rambling and just let you enjoy the pictures below from this fun filled launch day. Enjoy...




























That's it till the 2nd launch post. Hope you enjoyed it as much as they did!

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Sonoran Science Academy Rocket Class

From January through March 2009, 3rd grade students at Sonoran Science Academy (http://sonoranacademy.org) in Tucson, Arizona, worked hard on building some pretty neat two stage rockets. The kit they built was the Estes Loadstar. This project was made possible by generous donations from several parents, relatives and community members.



The students were taught about various aspects of rocketry as the projects progressed. These kits were quite challenging, but the students did a great job that their parents should be very proud of.


It's really amazing what 3rd graders can do if given the opportunity. Ask any of these students what "apogee" is or other questions related to their rockets or rocket flight and you will probably be surprizes how mcuh they know.


It was really neat to watch them work so intense on their rockets. It's amazing what they can learn when they are having fun.


Parents got involved and also learned some things. Some have also continued on past our introductory class and are now travelling to other rocket lauches and participating in this fun eductaional hobby.




They even learned to keep their project pieces nice and organized. this helped since there were 26 of the exact same kit...


They felt accomplishment each step of the way...



There were even some whacky NASA tattoos and other prizes for those who answered the quizes fastest.


They also learned that it can be difficult to get those pesky fins to stick and stay in place on the body tubes. They learned a couple tricks and to let the glue "cure" for a little while...


Sometimes it takes even more patience... But we all like virtues, right?


We took a couple shortcuts and used a hot glue gun to get the standoffs and launch lugs attached quickly. This was the first time I had used the hot glue gun on rockets. They all actually held up for multiple flights. Sure makes a quick way to repair things quick. I wouldn't want to use it on mid or high powereed rockets, but it enabled us to get some students' rockets finished and launched that otherwise would not have had time to dry.




Brenda did a great job making sure that the launch lugs all lined up after they were attached.


Packing fireproof wadding and parachutes for the much anticipated maiden launches.


They all finished their rockets in time for the first schedules launch on March 13, 2009. I will soon post pictures from their first day at the launch site.

Roborocketry Quad Pad Launch Rack

I wanted a heavier launch pad or row of pads that could accomodate multiple launch rods and not have to be staked down. We usually use hooked stakes when using the Estes standard and E launch pads, especially when launching larger rockets such as the Mean Yankee (Estes Mean Machine).


You can build your own multi-station launch pad with common parts from the local hardware store.

I had looked online at several from various launch pictures that were made out of wood saw horses. I was about to go the same route until I came across some nice heavy guage steel folding saw horses at Lowes.


I wanted both the elevation and azimuth to be adjustable, so I bought some angle brackets, carriage bolts, lock washers and wing nuts to be able to tighten, loosen and adjust as necessary without tools.


I then attached heavy duty grounding clamps to these that conveniently hold launch rods of various diameters very nicely. They also have a hole that works great for the carriage bolts hooked to the angle brackets. We have used the same clamps with 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" rods just fine.


We used four blast deflectors from some of our estes launch pads.

Another feature we added were ignitor lead standoffs made from wire coat hangers.


The standoffs have really done the trick for keeping the wires and clips free from the blast of the rocket motors. It is amazing how clean they stay using this feature.

So for a little bit of time and a very modest budget, you can build your own four staion launch pad. Sorry I didn't make a detailed parts list on this project, but hopefully the pictures will do the trick. I bought everything for this at Lowes, so one trip should do the trick!