Fly Eggs to the Moon!

Well, not quite as far as the moon.  How does 500 yards sound?  Do you think your students have the science, math and craftsmanship ‘eggs’pertise to design, build and fly a multi-stage model rocket that will carry an altimeter and two raw eggs as close as possible to 1,500 feet up into the air. . . and then land those eggs safely without cracking them?  No?  Then, are you willing to teach them how?

If your U.S. high school team has the dedication to become ‘eggs’perts in rocketry, you could end up with a nice boost for your department.  The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and National Association of Rocketry (NAR) will split a total of $50,000 in savings bonds among the top five student teams who construct successful rockets for the Team America Rocketry Challenge.  Another $9,000 in cash will be divided among the teams’ supervising teachers’ schools.  Altogether, 100 teams will have the opportunity to compete in a fly-off in northern Virginia April 12-13, 2003 as part of the 2003 Centennial of Flight celebration.

At www.aia-aerospace.org is the information you need to enter a team in the challenge.  On the site, you can check out the rules handbook, safety guidelines and frequently asked questions, download the application form and a poster, and view videos of a test launch.  You’ll also learn that members of the National Association of Rocketry (www.nar.org) are available as advisors and to help your students gain access to a launch site.  Note that your school’s entry application is due November 15, 2002 and your team must make a qualifying flight between August 14, 2002 and February 23, 2003.

Here’s a helpful hint from The incredible edible eggÔ.  Your students just might have a better chance of becoming rocket scientists – or to accomplish any other goals – if they eat a good breakfast every day.  Studies have shown that students who eat breakfast perform better both physically and mentally.  With a nutritious breakfast, students concentrate better and get better grades.  So, while you’re helping your team learn how to keep their eggs intact during flight, why not remind them to blast their brains into gear by cracking, cooking and chowing down on the rest.  Just check our recipe section for how to fry, scramble and poach eggs and make omelets plus lots of other egg dishes.  

One more space ‘eggs’plorer tip:  The Team America Rocketry Challenge requires that the ‘egg’onauts in the payload must weigh between 57 and 63 grams each in the shell.  The average Large size egg in its shell weighs 59 grams.

Best of luck for an ‘eggs’citing liftoff and safe landing and cargo recovery!