Outreach Report - Washington County 4-H (5/21/2006)
St. Croix Clovers - Aerospace Project - Part II
Today (May 21) I met with the Washington Co. 4H group at
Baytown Community Center for the second part of the Aerospace
project.
24 members signed up for the build today from 2:00 pm to
4:00 pm. They decided on the 4H paper Qubit on A10-PT's and the
Gnome on 1/2A3-4T's. Both take about 15 minutes but in a group
that amounts to half hour each.
The build went very well although you can see a difference
in skills at all ages. A lot has to do with paying attention to
directions. We started 15 minutes late waiting for all of the group.
They finished at 3:45 pm so the entire 2 rocket build and clean up
took about 1-1/2 hours.
Most of these groups want to build rockets and have us help
them launch with out a way to follow up. I usually provide a Alpha
III Starter kit to allow the groups to continue after I leave.
They asked if they could fly the rockets today. 18 kids
stayed for the after hours launch. I had them set up their new
equipment in the lower parking lot. I used one of my estes' setups
for a 2 pad range. A couple of parents offered to help so I showed
them the rocket prep for both rockets. This took the load off of me
to run the range. I later had help with the hookups here too.
I had 18 kids and 2 rockets each. We started about 4:00 and
finished about 4:45 pm.
First we flew the 4H Qubits and they went all over the place
with the kids trying to catch them. All on their tiny lot. Most
suburb homes have bigger lots.
Having seen the Qubits go from 60' to 100', I wanted to see
their response with the Gnomes on 1/2A's. At first they were timid
about counting down but by the second round all were counting out
loud for the launch. All firings took place with out a misfire or a
no-go. Only a few had separations. Someone must have forgot to glue
the upper lug and shockcord holders. A few streamers drifted away
after pulling off.
Most of the Gnomes flew straight and true. Most landed
within 150' or so. The 4H'ers seemed to have a fun time of it. This
was to generate interest in a County Fair Exhibit.
[Ken Jarosch]
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