Courtesy of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Jefferson County, Arkansas, middle and high school students and their parents built model Estes Journey Launch Rockets at the Ivy Center for Education’s (ICE) program for Future Engineers at The Generator on Main Street in Pine Bluff, AR. The program is part of a March hybrid in-person and Zoom workshop with plans to lead to a model rocket launch experience for the community. Dr. Sederick Charles Rice, a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) STEM professor, led the seminar by sharing Estes Journey Launch Rocket kits with scholars present and asked their parents to help with the build experience.
To enhance the learning, six students watched three brief YouTube videos. The first video highlighted an Estes model rocket launch, the second video described the basic launch profile of an Estes Rocket, and the third video, “Rockets 101,” developed by National Geographic, described how centuries of innovations made space exploration possible and highlighted the four major systems: structural system, propulsion system, payload system, and guidance system, which are all responsible for a successful launch. Students who participated included Ivan Armour, Kendo Greenwood, and SaSha Miller in person, Jalese Allen, Ian Campbell, and Mariya Greer on Zoom.
SaSha Miller, a 7th grader at Watson Chapel Jr. High, stated, “I enjoyed the experience of how to build a rocket. I am excited about when and where we will launch our Flying Journey Rocket!” SaSha’s mom, Angela Martin, said, “This was such a great learning experience working with my daughter SaSha! The experience I had made me want to build more things. Dr. Rice did a great job!”
Dr. Rice also compared the model rockets students were building to the rocket types in the video and reviewed the model rocket’s major parts, including the nose cone, parachute, rocket engine, fins, body tube, shock cord, recovery wadding, and launch lug. Students and their parents worked together and completed the Estes Rocket model build during the one-hour workshop, which did not include the engine.
Kendol Greenwood, a 10th grader at Pine Bluff High School, stated, “I really enjoyed myself tonight! I learned about the importance of aerodynamics in the process of launching rocket ships.” Kenyata Hicks, Kendol’s mom, stated, “I enjoyed learning about the process of building rockets with my son. Dr. Rice is a great teacher!”
Ivan Armour, an 11th grader at White Hall High School, stated, “I was able to participate in a project that required teamwork and allowed me to further develop my critical thinking skills.” Tameque Armour, Ivan’s mom, stated, I love to challenge my brain by following instructions to complete a project and helping to build this model rocket with my son was fulfilling!”
Rosalind Donson, Community Stakeholder: “I heard about the Ivy Center for Education after reading about their program in the Pine Bluff Commercial. It was an absolute joy to attend this session. Dr. Rice was awesome! As a Doctoral Scholar interested in Community-Based Educational Programs and Parental Involvement, it was encouraging to see the scholars working together to build rockets with their parents.”
According to Dr. Rice, the long-term goal is to establish a model rocket club, where students from all area school districts can come to the ICE workshops and learn how to build and launch model rockets in a designated City of Pine Bluff park. ICE is also working on a partnership with Central Arkansas Rocketry, a local organization dedicated to rocketry education, providing Arkansas with the means to pursue and enjoy the sport of rocketry, learn how to safely launch rockets, and participate in their Power/Sport launches.
The ICE Support team who joined included Mattie Collins, President of ICE, Marguerite Flannigan, ICE Board Members, Rayshana Adams, Virginia Hymes, Leslie Shaw, and Patricia Turner. Mattie Collins, President of the ICE, stated, “Our Scholars are great! I loved seeing the scholars and parents reading the instructions out loud to each other and correcting each other to ensure they built the rockets correctly! Dr. Rice is an exceptional instructor who knows how to make everyone feel like they can be successful at whatever they do! I can’t wait until later this spring when the scholars’ and parents’ rockets LAUNCH and LIFT OFF!”