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Students soar to new heights

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Onlookers watch a rocket soar into the "stratosphere" during the 1st Annual Edwards Intermediate Space Challenge held at Branch Elementary. (U.S. Air Force photos by Kenji Thuloweit)
Onlookers watch a rocket soar into the “stratosphere” during the 1st Annual Edwards Intermediate Space Challenge held at Branch Elementary. (U.S. Air Force photos by Kenji Thuloweit)
Col. Robert Weaver launches the rocket named "Making Sparks Fly." he rocket was made by a team of fifth graders.
Col. Robert Weaver launches the rocket named “Making Sparks Fly.” he rocket was made by a team of fifth graders.

EDWARDS AFB – Potential aerospace engineers and rocket scientists gathered at Branch Elementary recently for the 1st Annual Edwards Intermediate Space Challenge.

The rocket launch contest featured 12 teams consisting of 4th, 5th and 6th graders who put their ingenuity to the test to compete in six categories.

The event was a collaborative effort with the Muroc School District and the 412th Test Wing. Sixth grade teacher Kim Cantrell and 412th Test Wing Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Outreach Director Mickey Bowen were instrumental in making the event happen.

Awards:

Highest Altitude – 4th Grade Team #4 – Mrs. O’s Super Stars “Soaring with Might” (484 ft.)

Best Overall Trophy Award – 4th Grade Team #4 – Mrs. O’s Super Stars “Soaring with Might”

First Place for “Best Rocket Integration (by grade level)

  • 4th Grade Team # 1 -The Fireballs (Mrs. Bower) “We Bring the Firepower”
  • 5th Grade Team # 7 – Flying Tacos (Mr. Wilson) “It’s Taco Time”
  • 6th Grade Team # 11 – T.N.T. Total Nuclear Terrors (Mrs. Piper) “Here Comes the Boom”

First Place for “Most Spirited” (by grade level)

  • 4th Grade Team # 2 – The 33 Rocketeers (Mrs. Hood) “Higher Than the Heavens”
  • 4th Grade Team # 4 – Mrs. O’s Super Stars (Mrs. Olsen) “Soaring with Might”
  • 5th Grade Team # 5 – Desert Bandits (Mrs. Mccormack) “Taking Over Space”
  • 6th Grade Team # 12 – The Phenomenoms (Mr. Ragan) “We Strike Twice”

First Place for “Most Creative Banner Design” (by grade level)

  • 4th Grade Team # 2 – The 33 Rocketeers (Mrs. Hood) “Higher Than the Heavens”
  • 5th Grade Team # 7 – Flying Tacos (Mr. Wilson) “It’s Taco Time”
  • 6th Grade Team #10 – The Titans (Mrs. Cantrell) “We’ll Keep Flying to the End”

Participants:

Teams of 4th, 5th and 6th graders built rockets for the 1st Annual Edwards Intermediate Space Challenge.
Teams of 4th, 5th and 6th graders built rockets for the 1st Annual Edwards Intermediate Space Challenge.

Fourth Grade Teams

  • Team # 1. The Fireballs (Mrs. Bower) “We Bring The Firepower”
  • Team # 2. The 33 Rocketeers (Mrs. Hood) “Higher Than The Heavens”
  • Team # 3. Myers’ Flyers (Mrs. Myers) “We Fly Sky High”
  • Team #4. Mrs. O’s Super Stars (Mrs. Olsen) “Soaring With Might”

Fifth Grade Teams

  • Team # 5. Desert Bandits (Mrs. Mccormack) “Taking Over Space”
  • Team # 6. Flying Sparks (Mrs. Sparks) “Making Sparks Fly”
  • Team # 7. Flying Tacos (Mr. Wilson) “It’s Taco Time”
  • Team # 8. Skymasters (Mrs. R. Wilson) “The Sky’s The Limit With Skymasters”

Sixth Grade Teams

  • Team # 9. Intergalactic Flyers (Mr. Caldwell) “Flying To Infinity”
  • Team #10. The Titans (Mrs. Cantrell) “We’ll Keep Flying To The End”
  • Team #11. T.N.T. Total Nuclear Terrors (Mrs. Piper) “Here Comes The Boom”
  • Team #12. The Phenomenoms (Mr. Ragan) “We Strike Twice

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