KINGSFORD, Michigan USA -- As of this afternoon, 15 students in the High Power Rocketry Program of Kingsford High School in Dickinson County are a part of scientific history.  They are the first to launch high powered rockets in the Upper Peninsula.

"We're the first people in Michigan ever to request to use state land for a high powered rocket launch and that created a lot of concern," said Bill Bertoldi, program advisor.

But thanks to the DNR, those concerns were resolved and the high school got their land use permit to set up their launching pad at the former Groveland Mine settling ponds.  Students, parents and members of the community came by to watch the rockets take off.

"I had to look straight up to see and I was thinking that it was gonna just land right here so I'm like uh, grab my stuff ---out," said KHS Sophomore Russell Jordan.

But program advisor Bill Bertoldi stresses the rocket launch isn't just for show, the program is meant to get students interested in the sciences.

"It gives them hopefully a career in Michigan a well paying job and a lot of these kids are going into science, engineering and things where we have great need in the state of Michigan," he said.

The students are serious about the sciences and say today's launch was proof of their dedication.

"It feels really great.  It's really cool to watch it and it's a pretty proud moment for somebody who's seen the rocket from start to finish," said senior Jenn Groenenveld. 

"I'm proud cause of all the hard work that Mr. Bertoldi did and just getting everything together," said senior Kurt Bjorkman.

The rocketry program launched a total of 13 rockets this afternoon... the largest and most powerful of them being the "Friday Night Fever" rocket.