VIDEO: NBC Nightly News segment "Making a Difference."

FREDRICKSBURG, Texas USA — Brett Williams is leading a charge to re-establish the United States as a leader in science, math and engineering, by lighting a spark in America's youth through a rocketry-based education program called SystemGo Aeroscience and Ignite Education.

Williams started in 1996, reaching out to students of Fredricksburg High School with the Redbird Rocket Program.  Their first year, they sent a rocket up one mile, carrying a one pound payload.  Since then, they've broken the sound barrier and aimed for 100,000 feet in the air. Their next project is a 500 pound behemoth that will soar to the edge of space, carrying a payload onboard from graduate students of Stanford University.

The program was turned into a model for other high schools in the state of Texas, and dozens now participate in their annual launch event.  Fredricksburg's program is so sophisticated that the U.S. Air Force is involved, launching their biggest rocket from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. 

"This past week we supported the testing of 18 free-flight vehicles for a dozen schools across Texas," Williams said in an online communication.  "All experienced stable flight and all were on target to accomplish their project design goals."  Williams was contacting supporters to make them aware of a segment on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams called "Making a Difference" that was shown Friday evening, May 2nd.

All of the propulsion systems used in the testings were hybrids, and has been one of the pet projects of Anthony Cesaroni of Cesaroni Technology Incorporated, a major supplier of hobby rocketry propulsion systems.  "It’s one of the academic projects we helped support with our HyperTek product," Cesaroni said. "The students and faculties are really pumped."

These leaders of tomorrow's America realize that the answer is today's youth, and are leveraging that raw resource to help position the United States to once again take charge of its destiny and regain their lead in the science and engineering world.

Website: http://www.igniteeducation.org/

05-02-2008 08:45 PM  #1
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1084	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Sensational. http://rocketryforum.com/s...php?p=547089&postcount=4

05-02-2008 10:00 PM  #2
DAllen Certified Level Two   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 37	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature WAY TO GO BRETT WILLIAMS! This is purely AWESOME. I really like the fact that all the birds I saw were using hybrid motors - an added degree of complexity - more things to learn about. It's nice to see some good press for rockets for once. -DAllen

05-02-2008 10:16 PM  #3
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3163	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature I have to imagine the decision to use hybrids may have been tempered with the commonly associated regulatory nightmare currently experienced with solid propellant motors. Our own government is actively interferring with the nation's future as it relates to science and math, but they do not care when regulation simply for the sake of regulation is so essential to post 9/11 politicians. Vote these visionless impediments out of office.

05-02-2008 10:21 PM  #4
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1084	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: I have to imagine the decision to use hybrids may have been tempered with the commonly associated regulatory nightmare currently experienced with solid propellant motors. Our own government is actively interferring with the nation's future as it relates to science and math, but they do not care when regulation simply for the sake of regulation is so essential to post 9/11 politicians. Vote these visionless impediments out of office. I agree of course but Williams made a closing comment not normal for him in STRONG support of the activity, and let's not forget our own Anthony Cesaroni helped this to happen. Never forget. Jerry

05-03-2008 08:57 PM  #5
porthos Certified Level One   Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 27	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature It's a relief to know there's still teachers out there that are willing to challenge their students to stretch the limits, and offer the guidance for them to achieve their goals. Outstanding effort Mr. Williams!

05-03-2008 08:58 PM  #6
n5wd NAR L1   Joined: May 2007 Posts: 33	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: I have to imagine the decision to use hybrids may have been tempered with the commonly associated regulatory nightmare currently experienced with solid propellant motors. I wouldn't dare speak for Brett, but when he visited with us last year (my high school is considering adopting the Ignite program - that's the trade name given the curriculum that Brett is doing and sharing with other schools) he made mention of the powers-that-be being very comfortable with the materials for a hybrid being stored in schools. I just gotta believe that played a part in the decision to go hybrid for the high-power rockets (they do use BP and APCP for the low and medium powered rockets, though). The curriculum isn't only rockets, but also robotics and a few other technology thingies put into play. It's the second-year students that were launching the high-powered rockets in the TV report, by the way.

05-05-2008 11:48 AM  #7
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature I like your choice of words... "impediments". The only way these impediments will ever be removed is for the major news outlets to do more stories about such uplifting activities instead of the constant barrage of doom and gloom about our youth. As long as us old farts only talk about our hobbies amonst ourselves, nothing will ever change. Thank you NBC news and Bryon Williams for airing this story without even one mention of Britney Spears!

05-05-2008 12:11 PM  #8
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature I'm sorry. That was BRIAN, noy Bryon Williams, you old fart.

05-05-2008 12:29 PM  #9
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3163	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature If you want, you can "edit" your original post in the Forums. Click http://www.rocketryplanet.....php?p=88082&postcount=8 and then "Edit".

05-05-2008 01:11 PM  #10
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: If you want, you can "edit" your original post in the Forums. Click http://www.rocketryplanet.....php?p=88082&postcount=8 and then "Edit". Thanks. I'm still trying to learn the proper way to install a Copperhead igniter! But back to the subject at hand: I just sent a comment to Brian and NBC, thanking them for this story. I firmly beleive that the only way we in the hobby rocket community will ever prevail is if we can receive favourable press from the major, mainstream TELEVISION news media. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease and if hundreds or hopefully even thousands of us "harmless nerds and fanatics" can somehow beat naysayers to the microphone, we might just stand a chance. I am POSITIVE that newspeople love positive feedback to their stories and that the time to respond is when their story is fresh in their minds. LET'S ROLL!

05-05-2008 02:09 PM  #11
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2707	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: Thanks. I'm still trying to learn the proper way to install a Copperhead igniter! But back to the subject at hand: I just sent a comment to Brian and NBC, thanking them for this story. I firmly beleive that the only way we in the hobby rocket community will ever prevail is if we can receive favourable press from the major, mainstream TELEVISION news media. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease and if hundreds or hopefully even thousands of us "harmless nerds and fanatics" can somehow beat naysayers to the microphone, we might just stand a chance. I am POSITIVE that newspeople love positive feedback to their stories and that the time to respond is when their story is fresh in their minds. LET'S ROLL! Can you post a link to submit positive comments to NBC about this story.

05-05-2008 03:54 PM  #12
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Yes. It's http://dailynightly.msnbc....e/2008/05/02/975109.aspx Scroll down to "post a comment". I hope they read these things.

05-05-2008 05:01 PM  #13
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1084	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature The correspondent was Tom Costello, NBC. The anchor was Brian Williams, NBC.

05-05-2008 06:22 PM  #14
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: The correspondent was Tom Costello, NBC. The anchor was Brian Williams, NBC. Yes, thanks! I should have noted that. It is my hope that everyone on this forum will contact the people at NBC with a great big "ATTABOY"! Clinton, McCain and Obama would give their first layer of skin for a story like this. Let's not waste this oppuortunity with complacency!

05-06-2008 04:00 PM  #15
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Ask someone a question. If the answer is "I don't know", it's an indicator of ignorance. If the answer is "I don't care", that's the product of apathy. Are we apathetic or just lazy?

05-06-2008 04:06 PM  #16
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2707	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Despite their claims to moderate that content I noticed that John Gamettes had commented on their lack of moderation of another post and even quoted their own text that stated that all text must relate to the blog. So I am doubtful that anyone at NBC is actually reading this.

05-06-2008 05:51 PM  #17
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: Despite their claims to moderate that content I noticed that John Gamettes had commented on their lack of moderation of another post and even quoted their own text that stated that all text must relate to the blog. So I am doubtful that anyone at NBC is actually reading this. The point is that if enough of us take the time to contact NBC about their positive story on rocketry, they will take notice. If we do nothing, nothing will result and the lawyers take the prize!

05-06-2008 06:10 PM  #18
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2707	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: The point is that if enough of us take the time to contact NBC about their positive story on rocketry, they will take notice. If we do nothing, nothing will result and the lawyers take the prize! And my point is that contacting them this way does not appear to work. If they don't take the time to remove posts like the two pointed out - they are not likely to notice our positive comments either. Is there another way to let them know? Perhaps letters to their local affiliates and corporate HQ?

05-07-2008 10:51 AM  #19
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: And my point is that contacting them this way does not appear to work. If they don't take the time to remove posts like the two pointed out - they are not likely to notice our positive comments either. Is there another way to let them know? Perhaps letters to their local affiliates and corporate HQ? Thanks. I'll remember this next time I see Senator Schumer on NBC/ABC/CBS/CNN ad nauseum, pontificating, unchallenged, about how these things can be used to shoot down aircraft. You're right. Let's just keep the facts between us girls.

05-07-2008 06:06 PM  #20
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2707	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: Thanks. I'll remember this next time I see Senator Schumer on NBC/ABC/CBS/CNN ad nauseum, pontificating, unchallenged, about how these things can be used to shoot down aircraft. You're right. Let's just keep the facts between us girls. ???? Now I feel like you are not reading what I said. Maybe it's me. First NBC now you... I'm on your side - but I think we need to tell NBC how much we liked the story in a way that actually gets their attention. If they don't care enough to purge those messages of obvious garbage - they aren't reading them and it doesn't help in my opinion. You could post a message saying that Bigfoot was found in a rocket on the moon and they would not bat an eye. I'd rather be a team on this but if you want to tilt at windmills...

05-08-2008 11:35 AM  #21
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: ???? Now I feel like you are not reading what I said. Maybe it's me. First NBC now you... I'm on your side - but I think we need to tell NBC how much we liked the story in a way that actually gets their attention. If they don't care enough to purge those messages of obvious garbage - they aren't reading them and it doesn't help in my opinion. You could post a message saying that Bigfoot was found in a rocket on the moon and they would not bat an eye. I'd rather be a team on this but if you want to tilt at windmills... Truce: I really don't care if anyone actually reads anything posted on NBC's comments forums. They won't publish everything they get anyway and they obviously don't follow their own forum rules. But if "the media", in this case NBC, recieve hundreds of positive feedback from us consumers, they'll take notice of the numbers because numbers equals viewers and viewers equal advertisers. If there is interest in their stories they will quite likely do followups. Advertisers pay millions for one minute of air time and it costs us nothing to encourage them to do more stories like this. If hobby rocketry is to survive, it must reach out to those who get all of their news and information from the tube. Talking to each other is fine, but does nothing to educate the uninformed public who are constantly mislead by the propaganda of our fear mongering politicians and bureaucrats. It is ignorance that perpetuates the situation we're in. One can also email Brett Williams a thank you note at the Fredricksburg ISD and send donations to www.igniteeducation.org

05-08-2008 07:06 PM  #22
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2707	Re: Student aerospace program subject of NBC News feature Quote: Truce Agreed - sorry this was getting distracting and I should have taken this offline. Quote: It is ignorance that perpetuates the situation we're in. And a healthy dose of intentional misdirection and manipulation by those who want this to remain as it is.