The typical conversation for kids always circles back to the “Rocket Scientist.” Either someone in their class is “no rocket scientist,” or someone in their class is, “like a rocket scientist,” but Garrard County 4-H, in cooperation with two local elementary schools, had the opportunity to make 87 total students, in fact, “rocket scientists.” Using a past National Youth Science Day [Rockets to the Rescue], the Garrard County 4-H worked with multiple classrooms to assist in designing paper-made, air-propelled rockets from a launcher to a series of designated targets. The students, taking the basic design of a fuselage, nose cone, balanced weight, and a payload carrier, were able to successfully launch their rocket from one the designated launcher to another spot. The keys to the activity were creating the elements of known science, such as the scientific method, and having them work through the process. The Garrard County 4-H Agent demonstrated the importance of potential and kinetic energy with the PSI (pounds per square inch) in the launcher, the necessity of the angle as a part of the equation, aim, teamwork, and group discussion to make the best decision possible for the desired outcome. Out of more than 120 total launches, only 2 teams were successful in landing their rocket in the designated area. The Garrard County 4-H Agent verbally evaluated the process and asked for open responses to these questions:

1. What could you have changed to been more successful?
2. Did you hear everyone’s ideas about alterations made to how you launch or the design of your rocket?
3. What other factors or variables contributed to your success or your learning, when it came to launching?
4. Does not hitting the target mean you failed or is it an opportunity to learn?

Youth were very candid in their responses, but most responded to the importance of valuing the opinion of others, giving individual team evaluations of their rocket, recognizing the importance of understanding the full equation of PSI + Angle + Aim to be successful, and that each launch was an opportunity to learn despite not hitting the target.

The lesson was necessary because STEM Career Fields are expected to grow by 8.8%, 74% of girls are interested in pursuing a STEM-related career, and only 20% of current high school graduates are prepared for STEM-focused classes in college. According to an article https://www.idtech.com/blog/stem-education-statistics, nearly 3.5 million STEM-related jobs will go unfilled due to ill-prepared students entering the workforce. With continued importance placed on STEM lessons, youth will be prepared to be critical thinkers for an ever-growing need.