3-2-1 Blast Off with Melrose

One of my highlights from October was launching rockets with 4th graders from Melrose Elementary School. This was a phenomenal project focusing on 21st century skills that was made possible by several organizations partnering together.

Melrose fourth graders were joined by the Penn State Engineering Department, 8th grade students from the Silver Academy, and two Sci-Tech students (who were interested in Engineering) to launch the rockets the students constructed. Also, representatives from Freeburn and Marshall were present because they donating the funding that allowed the students to have the rocket kits.

Excitement was in the air as students enthusiastically counted down 3-2-1 before each grouping of rockets were launched. This project taught students about the design process and Newton's Laws. One of their teachers, Tina Klotzbeecher, who brought all of the organizations together for this event said, "These are great kids, they just need more exposure to these types of things!" She is correct!!! One of the most special parts of the day for me was overhearing a group of students playing with their rockets after they had launched. They were imagining that they were in space and talking about what it would be like. This was a fun experience they won't soon forget and they were learning in the process.

This is an example of a project that meets all of the components the Foundry desires projects to be comprised of for maximum effectiveness.

-An excellent lead/coordinator teacher (Tina Klotzbeecher)

-Community Coaches (Penn State Engineers)

-Outside Funders If Necessary (Freeburn & Marshall) -Foundry Fellow to assist in the coordination and documentation of the project

We are looking forward to seeing this project continue at Melrose and hope to see other projects begin to spring up at Melrose and around the District with a similar model of partnership.