Rockets launch into the sky as seniors Ethan Reed and Lilly Millican, junior Carson Ngyuen and sophomore Emma Reed switch their rocket engine to ensure their victory in their Physics I rocket competition.
“We’ve put so much work into this rocket that we’re not in it to just pass the project anymore, we’re in it to win,” Ethan said. “We tried so many different materials and gluing methods that I will be disappointed if we don’t win.”
AP Physics I built rockets for almost two full six weeks, constructing them from scratch. Students selected their groups and created a functional rocket that was able to fly up, deploy a parachute then safely come back down to the ground.
“At first I was iffy because our rocket was only going okay, and I didn’t know how well it was going to come together,” Emma said. “It was a rough start for us, but it came together fast and now I’m very confident with our creation. I think it was the best out of any of the rockets in our class.”
Launch day determined if students passed or failed their project, but there were also competitions that happened. Students participated in a style competition, where AP Physics I teacher Mr. John Davis judged every group’s rocket and chose the best looking one.
“We all knew that we had our own parts to do and once I got mine done, I trusted that I could hand it off to someone else who would do their part,” Ethan said. “We held each other accountable for our work.”
Students had time in class to brainstorm or build the rocket, but they took it home and worked on it by themselves or with their group.
“I think since the four of us knew each other prior, determining who was going to do what was very easy,” Millican said. “Even though we all knew what role we had, the whole process would have gone a lot smoother and been more time efficient if we laid out the steps and focused on the fine details sooner. Even with all of these things, I still loved working with my group.”
Working in a group spread work among the four of them. Ethan and Emma took the rocket home to build the main structure, Millican painted and decorated the rocket and Ngyuen created the parachute system.
“In class, we didn’t do a whole lot of work. We would glue what we had to glue, then sit and talk to each other about random games while we waited for the glue to dry, which was my favorite part of the project,” Ngyuen said. “Building the parachute and seeing everything come together was satisfying, but laughing with everyone easily tops that.”
Unlike Nguyen, Emma knew that launch day will carry better memories than building the rocket.
“Everyone had different opinions on how launch day is going to go. Ethan and Millican were very confident and intend on paying attention to how we can adapt to other teams and win, but I personally think that watching all of the other rockets was hilarious,” Emma said. “Rockets flying everywhere and half of them probably aren’t going to fly; I had a field day laughing at the other groups.”
