HASTINGS, Nebraska USA - Monday students in Hastings got to meet the "Rocket Man." He is Major James Clegern of Offutt Air Force Base and Monday he shot off rockets in Hastings.

About a hundred students from Longfellow Elementary spent the day at Hastings College learning how rockets work.

And this class was all about hands–on education.

With the guidance of Major Clegern, students took turns actually shooting off model rockets 800 feet in the air.

"It is one thing to read about it and have someone talk to you, but it is another thing to see it actually go. It allows them to tie the concepts together and show them they can see the science working and it can be a lot of fun too," said Clegern.

Major Clegern serves as a chief engineer for models and simulations at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base.

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