Wind and Cold Didn’t Stop Parker’s Rocket Launch

Upper School students in Advanced Physics I worked through cold and wind to successfully launch rockets on Parker’s turf field.

To prepare for this series of experiences, students used physics equations to calculate the theoretical maximum height of the rockets and compare it to values obtained by on-board altimeters. Students also took time to add some style to their scientific substance with many unique designs and color combinations.

Section by section, each group of students grabbed their rocket, loaded a plywood launch platform and safety equipment onto a wagon they towed onto the field and arranged a temporary mission control. They received instructions on the final details of the launch process and combined their efforts to align their rocket on the launching platform, hook the leads of their rocket engine igniter to the launch control and—after a countdown—depress two buttons on the control to ignite the engine and propel each rocket into the sky.

Once they launched their rockets, students retrieved them and reviewed experimental data of the maximum height using altimeters attached to their rockets, which revealed the effects of air resistance on flight. Students used this information to discuss the reasons for differences between the theoretical values they determined in the classroom and experimental values they discovered on the field.

Click here for photos.