Host a Rocket Contest and Help Kids Reach for the Stars
Released
on: April 17, 2009, 3:32 am
Author: Jack Colpas, director / Helping Kids Reach for the Stars
program
Industry: Education
You
have read about it and heard it in the news - students in the
U.S. are falling behind in test scores.. We need to get kids interested
in science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM
subjects. To get them involved you have to get their attention.
Nothing draws more attention than a rocket launch – except
a rocket contest. To that end we offer the national Reach
for the Stars Rocket Contest.
Rocket
launches are great for publicity! Use the contest to advertise
your presence, build your membership and /or raise funds. They
are a terrific way to get kids excited about learning. Running
a local event is as easy as 3, 2, 1. Three - find at least twelve
contestants and order supplies. Two - build and launch your rockets.
One - award certificates and prizes. A step-by-step video and
on-line help are available to guide you.
Compete
locally. Celebrate nationally. The contest, for ages 10 to adult,
is designed to be run by local organizations, is safe, easy and
affordable. Everyone benefits. All contestants get a reusable
Estes model as well as the unforgettable experience of
launching a solid-fuel powered rocket hundreds of feet into the
sky. Everyone involved receives a commemorative achievement certificate
- suitable for framing. Each certificate bears an inspirational
quote from Christa McAuliffe. Sponsors receive recognition
and the satisfaction of Helping Kids Reach for the
Stars.
As
Homer Hickam, author of “The
Rocket Boys” (aka “October
Sky”) recently stated, "What's better
than a rocket launch to inspire young people? They learn about
science, engineering and, at the end, they get to launch a rocket.”
Everyone remembers their first rocket launch. What other activity
can you say that about?
The
contest is in its third year. It runs continuously and has annual
deadlines for each celebration. Go to www.TheRocketman.net
for deadlines and details. Our six national winners get memories
to last a lifetime and bragging rights for generations to come!
Results
from local events are entered in the national contest. National
winners get their choice of launching their rockets at the Astronaut
Hall of Fame and celebrating at the Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex - or they can celebrate
with author, Homer Hickam and launch with the original
Rocket Boys at the October Sky Festival
in Coalwood, West Virginia. They will also receive a
Space Shuttle Challenger - commemorative coin as well as
other prizes.
Dr.
Warren Layfield, Educational Director at COSROCS (Colorado
Springs Rocket Society) and TARC mentor considers the Reach
for the Stars Rocket Contest to be the “perfect training
ground for kids who will go on to more challenging competitions
like the Team America Rocketry Challenge and NASA’s
Student Launch Initiative.”
Tickets
to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex for three national winners and their families are
provided by DNC Parks. Lodging and breakfast is compliments
of the award winning Country Inns and Suites by Carlson
in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Without the generosity of these companies,
the winners’ celebration would not be possible.
Your
efforts will promote the Helping Kids Reach for the
Stars program and honor the legacy of Christa
McAuliffe - NASA’s first Teacher-in-Space.
Contact Details: Jack Colpas, director
Helping Kids Reach for the Stars program
Phone (941) 955-3958 Fax (206) 350-7880
Rocketman@SciConServices.com
www.TheRocketman.net
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