Two students shade their eyes as they watch a model rocket launch into the air at Maricopa Wells Middle School on March 28, 2024. [Bryan Mordt] — Two students shade their eyes as they watch a model rocket launch into the air at Maricopa Wells Middle School on March 28, 2024. The program gives students the opportunity to learn basic physics and assemble small rockets. [Bryan Mordt]

Maricopa Wells Middle School Rocket Challenge

Mar 28, 2024

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After two grueling weeks of learning basic physics and assembling model rockets, students at Maricopa Wells Middle School watched their creations soar this afternoon.

Today marked the 10th year of the program, which blends science, engineering and math lessons with ingenuity and excitement.

“It’s a pretty cool experience just getting to see everyone seeing their rockets get launched and how excited they are when it’s successful,” said Olivia O’Dell, a Maricopa High School ROTC cadet and program volunteer.

MWMS science teacher Jackie Hahn said the program operates on two levels.

“The sixth-graders are responsible for the altitude rockets, so we’re looking for how high they go,” she said. “And the seventh- and eighth-graders, they have to successfully launch and land an egg, and it has to survive the landing.”

It can be a tough mission, but Hahn said students stepped up to the challenge.

“It’s really exciting to watch the kids follow the directions and learn a lot about rocketry and physics, and find success in this program,” she said.

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