Rocketry Planet

HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina USA — With a whoosh, a small cylinder tube with fins jets up in the crystal blue sky on Saturday. In Jackson Park, students with the model rocketry class, taught by Dan Hoffman, shield their eyes to watch a student's rocket drift down towards the earth.

SLIDESHOW: Dan Hoffman talks with kids in his model rocketry class at Jackson Park. The class, which is through Hands On!, teaches kids to make and launch rockets safely. Photo: Mike Dirks.

Dan Hoffman talks with kids in his model rocketry class at Jackson Park. The class, which is through Hands On!, teaches kids to make and launch rockets safely. Photo: Mike Dirks.

"It was cool," said Victoria Cambron, 11.

About 20 students from the model rocket class came out to launch. The class was offered through Hands On! A Child's Gallery, on Main Street. Hoffman, a retired middle school teacher, brought the idea to the gallery.

"I wanted to do something to give back to kids," said Hoffman.

The class is filled with science and math experimental learning. Hoffman explained the kids have to learn algebraic equations, physics and trigonometry to figure out how to get their rockets off the launch pad. Hoffman built each kit the kids needed to create a rocket. There was a beginner's class and an intermediate class.

"Their dad took them to the class," said Wendy Benson, mother of Samuel, 10, and Shepherd, 8, who attended the class. "We homeschool them. They were very excited about (the class)."

"They had a blast," said Elisa McKenzie, mother to Luke, 8. "The advance class was three and a half hours. It was all I could do to pull him away."

Classes were for children, ages 8 to 12, and were held at the gallery. Another launch date was in November. The gallery-museum, Hands On!, plans to offer more classes in the future. Around 40 beginner students and 15 intermediate students attended class. It was a blend of children, and a lot of the kids at the launch were homeschooled.

"That's what we're trying to be is community-based," said Heather Boeke, executive director for the gallery

"It's wonderful to see," she added. "We have this great classroom facility ... (we want) people to use our facility and help us accomplish our mission."

The rockets flew high to pierce the sky on a clear Saturday with little wind. The red and silver fins flashed through the air and everyone looked up, trying to predict where the rocket will land. If a rocket's launch doesn't go as planned, Hoffman says they have to figure out why things went wrong and fix them. The kids really have to get in there and work with their rockets. They are responsible for painting the wood, gluing on the pieces and eventually launching them.

"If your hands aren't dirty, you aren't learning a lot," added Hoffman.

Matthew King, 9, took the beginner's class first and made his rocket, dubbed "Speed Demon." A week later, he went back to take the intermediate course. His favorite part? "Launching them," he said. He plans to use his knowledge at the class to create a project at 4-H.

"I thought it was interesting and I wanted to make a rocket," said Victoria.

Victoria added she liked science because "you get to do a lot more things than some other subjects."

Hoffman hopes to start a model rocketry club for the kids.

At the launch, moms and dads got involved, getting on their knees to help their children set up the rockets. The kids and grown-up kids surrounded Hoffman as he explained the safety procedures for launching a rocket.

"The families have as much fun," laughed Hoffman.

"It's for kids of all ages," said Boeke.

For more information about the classes at Hands On!, call 697-8333.

Copyright © 2009, Times-News.