My first group of excited 2nd graders!
The Freedom Forge Missile takes to the air. As you can see, we did not have a very big field, but we did just fine!
My Long OverDue on her first of 2 flights (lost in a tree during her second flight...)
I also built a new Decaffeinator just for this class. The kids just LOVED this rocket and it turned in 6 perfect flights on C motors to the delight of all!
Early on I would let the child closest to the launch controller launch one of the rockets. This didn't work out well as the WHOLE class would then want to fly something! I can't blame them, but I simply didn't have enough rockets to go around! After the 2nd class I stopped this to keep the peace.
The Decaffeinator was launched to the delight of all. Perfect flight and gentle landing.
Group #2 ready to see the show!
Here is our Thing-a-ma-Jig rocket. This was the very first group of people to ever see this model fly!
Excited at the prospect of controlling the rocket, she waits in anticipation as the countdown approaches zero!
And we have liftoff!
The UFFO was another hit with these kids!
After the first class I decided to let the TEACHER launch the Decaffeinator for the last launch of the group. This way no one had a complaint and the teacher got some excitement too!
It is simply wonderful how gentle these monster sized models float to the ground under their tiny parachute!
Here is a picture of the back of my truck as I await the next group. Having the fence there was a perfect barrier to keep the kids from the launch field.
Group #3 just LOVING this departure from the classroom.
And their teacher does a great job sending the Decaffeinator sky-ward.
Group #4 was one of the most excited of the day!
Also, they were joined by a smaller group of students with hearing impairments. They too had a ball and asked many questions!
Here goes the Decaffeinator again. You will note the 1st graders in the background as they choose to watch rocketry rather than play in the playground!
During this launch I managed to loose my daughter's (Jen) OverDrive model high in a tree...
Group #5 take their coats off in the warmer afternoon air and pose for a group shot.
Each flight of the Decaffeinator was picture perfect!
Our last group enjoying a perfect end to their school day through rocketry.
As expected, the last launch of the day was the Decaffeinator!
Everyone wanted to touch this odd looking rocket!
and I mean EVERYONE!
When I returned home I unloaded all of the spent motors from the day and realized that THIS was the sign of a good day in the life of a rocketeer!
But that pile of motors did not compair to these wonderful designs that I only got to really look at once I got home. I don't have the room to post them all, but here are a few of them.
Great designs, cleaver names and a lot of creativity!
Details too! How it works, how it is built, what it can do...
Does rocketry have an affect on the young?
You bet'cha!