NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska USA — Five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . . one . . . LAUNCH!

The small group of students at Eisenhower Elementary School excitedly counted down the launch sequence as each student hit the ignition button, sending their own creation skyward.

On Monday afternoon, these six students launched model rockets in the field behind the school. It was the culmination of a special two-day “mini class” on rocketry, one of many sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association.

Fourth-graders Keenan Serrano, left, and Darian Allberry prepare to launch a model rocket at Eisenhower elementary school Monday afternoon.

Recognizing that students want to know more about the topics that interest them most, the Parent Teacher Association at Eisenhower has organized mini-classes each year for fourth- and fifth-grade students.

The Eisenhower PTA has been organizing the mini classes since 1993. Organizers ask the students what they would most like to learn about, and then go out and find people willing and able to teach those classes.

Extension Assistant and 4-H School Enrichment Coordinator Cathy Weaver taught the rocketry class. Six students, all boys, signed up for the class to learn more about rocketry and about careers in aerospace science.

“Rockets are fun,” fourth grader Shane Marshall said. “I didn’t know much about them, so I wanted to learn more.”

Each student in the rocketry class had the opportunity to create their own small rocket. Weaver said the students built fairly simple level-one model rockets. They used two different engines for 400 and 800 feet of lift.

“I thought it was cool,” Marshall said.

He noted the coolest part was tying four small figurines to his rocket during his second launch. While four went up, only three remained attached to the rocket after it was retrieved.

“Only one didn’t survive,” said Marshall.

As a special treat, Weaver launched a three-foot rocket, also considered a level one, that was equipped with a digital camera to give the kids a special view of the launch.

Weaver said before making the model rockets with the students, she talked with them about careers in aerospace science and about why math and science is so important for astronauts.

When asked if he wants to become an astronaut, Marshall said he might. However, he pointed out that if it was for a trip that was too far away, he probably wouldn’t do it because he wouldn’t get to see his family for a long time.

Copyright © 2007, North Platte Telegraph.