From staff reports
The Clarion County chapter of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees awarded two Enhancement Mini-Grants this year. Union teachers, Bradley Kirkwood, Debbie Shirey, and Jake Weckerly, proposed a cross-curricular science, technology, engineering and math rocketry project for fourth through 12th grades. Also, Clarion County United Way’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library project was awarded the second grant.
The Union teachers plan to enhance learning and reinforce content taught in specific classes. The STEM rocket project will help students apply elements of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering and the project will be available to all students in named grades.
Elementary school students will design their rockets using a program like TinkerCAD. Then, using three-dimensional printers, print the rocket according to guidelines which requires them to carry a payload to an altitude of 400 feet and return safely to the ground.
Secondary students will build rockets from a designer model kit which only contains part and no instructions. This rocket must carry a payload to an altitude of 800 feet and safely return to the ground. In addition, this rocket must be in the air less than 50 seconds, maintain a lift-off mass less than 600 grams.
They may also use a CNC router or laser cutter for further precision manufacturing. Students will be required to design a model rocket using existing district technology tools, test the rocket for aerodynamic stability and make adjustments, and test parachute designs.
Finally, they will launch their rocket, make observations, record data, and compare expected outcome to experimental results.
The Clarion County United Way’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library project enrolls local children five years and under to provide monthly books to each child. The books arrive at the child’s home with their name on the mailing label.
The program is designed to do two things; further the education of children and increase parent-child interactions. Each book sent out is age-appropriate for the child receiving it. The first book each child receives is “The Little Engine That Could” and the last book they receive is “I Am Ready For Kindergarten.” Educators understand the importance of reading in a child’s pre-school years.
The members of CCPASR commend both the Union teachers and our local United Way for their commitment to enhancing the learning of our youngsters. The group wishes them well while implementing these projects.