Rocket Launch

On Friday, September 27, Northstar Christian Academy’s sixth grade class launched individual foam rockets they had hand crafted along with the help of teacher Rob Johnson and three senior students that surely had students of all ages excited until dismissal, or, as some may say, “Dis Missle.” After two hard-working weeks of creating these rockets, all the children lined up for the launch of 11 individual rockets in front of their families and younger classes; it was the climax of the start of the school year. 

When asked what the sixth graders were expecting from this experiment, 11-year-old Jared Estebane replied, “I told my classmates that I didn’t care what the rocket turned out looking like at the end as long as it launches successfully and makes it all the way up.”

Jada McAfee, a thriving sixth-grader at NCA, watched closely as the rocket slowly made its landing onto the soccer field after speeding up into the sky. “My favorite part was watching the rocket launch all the way up and over my sister’s head and then running up to it and catching it!” Jada was one of the 19 other students who took part in this activity. The rocket experiment, led by former head of high school Rob Johnson, encouraged the children’s essential growth and expression, engaging the cognitive, critical, and creative potential. 

As they waited to begin the rocket launch, we asked some of the other classes what they were expecting. Cayden Fabry, part of the “NASA” group, replied, “We are hoping our rocket will reach up to 200 feet up.” 

The buzz among the sixth graders (along with the rest of the school) was undeniably thrilling. They met on the back fields of NCA  and began their launch with a brief pep talk. Mr. Johnson discussed the recent Indian space exhibition, saying, “[Their shuttle] got within about 500 meters of the surface moon and [do you] know what happened? The engine shut off and crashed right onto the moon.” 

He went on to explain to the class that if any similar complications happened during their rocket launches,  the students needed to remember that they put in their best effort, and so he was greatly proud of them, regardless of the outcome. 

After that the rockets were ready to launch. Maddy Lawton, along with the two other seniors, Mikaela Brown and Jasmine Smith, sectioned off a “launch pad” area and lit the fuses. Everyone stood, their eyes wide as they looked up to the sky. The first rocket went nearly as far as the students predicted it would land, “about 200 feet” away. The first group’s launch was successful and the kids exulted. 

DeaVeon Rhodes from the junior class had a lot to say about the rocket launch and what it meant to her as someone who has been an NCA student  since kindergarten. She told us, “They [Northstar] gave us the opportunity to be creative and express ourselves at a very young age and I’m excited to see the next group of sixth graders having those same experiences.” 

Parents also looked on ecstatically and cheered for their children from the sidelines. Pastor Jon Spargo, a parent of one of the sixth graders, said, “I like the idea that the elementary students are doing it, but the high school students are out watching and helping. It really shows the family aspect of Northstar.” Another parent, Denise Mulando, said, “I’m glad they’re [NCA] really keeping up with the twenty-first century and the technology they have here is really astonishing. I’m glad my son is a part of this.” Another sixth grade parent said, “What I love about Northstar is the unique opportunities they present to the kids. Science and math are so important to the kids’ education [so] I’m glad they do rocketry to make it fun.” 

“It has been a busy week with this many participants, but seeing them all get to this point makes it 100 percent worth it,” said Mrs. Smith, the sixth grade teacher who worked with Mr. Johnson to plan and guide the students in the rocket project. “There’s lots of involvement with Northstar, which is something a lot of schools don’t have. The seniors are involved, many of the teachers, and all the students get to come out and enjoy this moment with them as well. This year’s group has been amazing to work with and so many have told me they can’t wait for their turn to do this next year!”