3...2...1... Blast Off......Malaspina Rocket Launch

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:19 AM

Excited students at Malaspina Elementary show off their pop-bottle rocket ( photo opinion250 staff)

( click on video icon to see a launch of one of the rockets)

Prince George, B.C. - Mr Josey’s grade 6/7 class at Malaspina Elementary School celebrated a rocket launch today after working on designs for the past six weeks in their science class.

Mr Josey , who is on teacher exchange from Australia, has completed this exercise with his former classes and wanted to allow his students at Malaspina to have the same opportunity. “This really is about learning that mistakes are necessary, particularly in science. It teaches the kids about being persistent and trying new things before you get it right.”

The students had many trials and used a number of different methods before they found success. They experimented with wing weight, nose changes, water pressure and chemical changes. One group exchanged water for coca cola in hopes that it would create more pressure.

Aaron Smith, (tall blonde in photo at right) a grade 7 student in the class which built "The Last Starblazer" said it was his favourite exercise. “It was frustrating at times, but mostly exciting. We started out with a model called Spudnik which failed a few times, but eventually we got the last one to work. We learned the laws of physics, thrust and lift.”

Although Mr Josey is returning to Australia in January, the students are excited to keep experimenting over the summer to improve their models.

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