A private civilian space foundation has joined forces with Sonoma State University to create a science program in which high school teachers and students will build and launch supersonic sub-orbital sounding rockets in the Nevada desert.
The fury of the launch, as plumes of dust rise high above the stark desert floor in a pyrotechnic display propelling their creations faster than the speed of sound far into the stratosphere, will be an experience the students and their teachers will never forget.
Designed to help boost interest among among young people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation is partnering with SSU in the pilot phase of a program called "Mavericks in the Classroom."
The Foundation operates a launch facility at its Space Education Research Center (SERC) near Reno, Nevada.
Thomas M. Atchison, Chairman of the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation, was moved to approach SSU because "our country desperately needs new generations of scientists and engineers to increase our technological competitiveness in this rapidly changing world, and insure our national security."
Sonoma State University's Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) group will develop the standards-aligned curriculum and the training materials for the teachers and will support the classroom design work and launches by high school students.
Applications are now being accepted through December 15 from teams of teachers from selected high schools in California and Nevada to participate in fully-funded, week long training programs during the summers of 2009 and 2010.
Through hands-on learning both in the classroom and on desert launch pads, this yearlong academic program teaches advanced skills in science, mathematics and engineering in a manner that inspires students and engages them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Teachers will learn how to design, construct and launch their own high-powered supersonic rockets and to develop a curriculum to teach their students how to build similar rockets during the school year that will break the sound barrier and soar to the edge of space.
"Science and technology are supposed to be fun, hands-on experiences," says Atchison. "But without the opportunity to do experiments that really excite our students, they get bored and turn off to future science careers."
"This program literally will be a real blast," said Dr. Lynn Cominsky, E/PO group Director and Chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department, and an award-winning professor at Sonoma State who has developed innovative and engaging educational materials for NASA missions for the past eight years.
"We are thrilled to have this amazing opportunity to work with the Mavericks’ Foundation to create the next generation of rocket scientists."
Each participating teacher will be offered a $1,000 stipend and travel expenses for week-long summer training workshops at SERC; materials, instruction and mentoring in the construction of a six-foot supersonic rocket; computer simulation and design software to use with students; rocket kits for each student participant; and will attain Level 1 and 2 certification with the Tripoli Rocketry Association upon completion of the program.
Students will replicate their teachers’ experience and build their own rockets during the academic year and will launch these rockets with the assistance of their local Tripoli prefectures.
The Tripoli Rocketry Association is an international organization that supports advanced non-professional rocketry, through local groups ("prefectures") that organize meetings, events and launches across the United States and in many international locations.
More information can be found on the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundations Web site, at http://www.rocketmavericks.com/ to apply on-line, please refer to http://epo.sonoma.edu/mavericks.
Photos of the Rocket Mavericks at work can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketmavericks.
(Photos by Rocket Mavericks)
