ACADEMIC It is rocket science
With one small step for man, Year 11 Applied Science and Technology students have taken a giant leap into the space age, by designing, building, testing and launching their own rockets.
Teacher Arthur McGregor says studying rockets is a great way for the students to learn the basics of forces, including weight, thrust and aerodynamics. “There’s a load of physics behind it and this module links up nicely with the external examination at the end of the year. It’s more interesting teaching this content in a more authentic hands-on context. The boys are learning by doing; it’s both fun and educational.” The module began with the boys building kitset rockets and balloon- powered cars, which allowed them to get familiar with parts of the rocket and launch procedures, as well as look at the physics behind height, speed, thrust and drag. From there, they looked more closely at the science behind building rockets – including structural, payload, guidance and propulsion systems – and, using the programme Open Rocket, launched into making their own. While the basic components for each rocket were much the same – a stiff cardboard cylinder for the body, a 3D-printed nose cone, laser cut corflute fins for stability and centring rings to hold the motor in place, a paper or plastic parachute, plus a motor and propellant – it is all in the detail, and things did not always go according to plan. Working in teams of two or three, at each stage in the process the boys tested and refined their work, sometimes having to go back to the drawing board and rebuild a
particular component, in order to have their best shot at reaching for the skies. “It’s very precise work, the measurements and dimensions have to be exact. We make our own parts and then put them together to make the rocket we designed, which is easier said than done!” says student George Lamb. Friday 22 September was overcast with light showers but not too much
wind when these intrepid rocket scientists gathered on Upper for the launch. One group at a time, the boys brought their rocket out to the launch stand, fitted the igniter to the motor, attached the wires to the igniter and then stepped back to start the countdown … 3, 2, 1 … and their rockets were up and away.
All the rockets had successful launches. A couple flew high,
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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