There’s the familiar adage, “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to…” And you fill in the blank.

The perspective that eighth graders in St. Denis School, Manasquan, have however, is that “it takes a rocket scientist to” – learn about rocket science.

As part of a science experiment led under their teacher, Kathy Francis, the pupils made water-propelled bottle rockets and had the opportunity to launch their projects. An added bonus was having Lt. Col. Michael Castania of the Civil Air Patrol guide them in their preparation. The students were excited to see whose rocket would fly the highest and fastest.

Francis explained that the project involved students dividing into eight teams. Each team used simple supplies – two two-liter soda bottles, tape, glue and Styrofoam to make their rockets. She noted that as the students became more confident in their designs, they also became more creative. One rocket ended up resembling a pig and another looked like a bumblebee.

Reviewing some of the logistics, she said that the rocket fins of the eight rockets had varied. Some were designed to create greater stability but would produce more drag, thereby not allowing the rocket to fly very high. Others were made to produce less drag but would fly higher. The varying air pressure of the rockets also determined how high each would fly.

Once completed, the students set up launch stations in the outfield of a local baseball field. Under the direction of Lt. Col. Castania, the students filled their rockets with water and used air pumps to pump pressure into the rocket after they were sealed to the station. Ensuring the students’ safety, Lt. Col. Castania had them stand back while they lightly pulled a string to launch the rockets.

Francis explained the impetus for the rocket experiment was based on her current experience as a first-year Aerospace Education Member with the Civil Air Patrol.

“This summer I had the opportunity to fly with the Civil Air Patrol, and I was hooked. Therefore I have incorporated the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Excellence program into my curriculum, and the students will earn certificates when we complete the program,” she said. Francis added that she has the opportunity to attend any aerospace education training programs that are available through CAP and works with the CAP Education Officers and a CAP pilot to “help me through this process, and have attended Squadron Meetings to enhance my training.”