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The physics students are blasting off into new learning opportunities! In a hands-on engineering challenge, students paired up to take on a Match Rocket Challenge in Mr. Pronschinske’s physics class. Students were given matches, aluminum foil, paper clips, skewers, and tape. With these materials they were to design and test small matchstick rockets to try and get their creations to fly the farthest in the class. 

In order to be successful, students had to take into consideration principles of physics, and investigate variables such as launch angle, rocket design, and stability. This project is full of interactive engineering as students experiment, collect data, and refine their models until their rocket is complete and ready for competition.  “The competition isn’t just about whose rocket soars the greatest distance—it’s about applying problem-solving skills, testing hypotheses, and learning how scientific concepts translate into real-world engineering challenges.” Says Pronschinske. 

On September 9th, the classroom turned into a launchpad, as students put their rockets to the test. Each group was given 3 attempts to shoot off a rocket. Groups rotated in rounds with one group shooting off  1 rocket at a time per round. All 6 groups had at least one successful trial with the rockets. Following the final launch, all of the group's distances were averaged out. The winning group shot their farthest rocket 10.3 meters, with an ending group average of 8.1 meters. 

This challenge went further than just winning- it allowed students to work around challenges, learn through experimentation, and develop team work skills that they will use beyond the classroom setting.

~Kennedy Ziegeweid Arcadia High School