Churchill Road sixth graders were forced to launch their Alka-Seltzer rockets under the school’s awning as a result of inclement weather. From left: Ethan Hsaio, Armin Taheripour, Connor Hohl, Colin Arner, Sun-Ho Oh, sixth grade teacher Chrissy Frantz, Stepanie Bi, Elena Moy, Megan Vandre, Caitlin Cunningham, Will Wheat, Spencer Brooks, Ashley Zu, Dora Wu, Ulia Ahn, Brandon Torng, Jackson Greehan and Massimo Frix. Photo by Kim Moran
On Friday, Sept. 13, Churchill Road sixth graders conducted a scientific experiment using the rockets they built in science class. The cardboard rockets were fueled with a mixture of Alka-Seltzer and water in their boosters (film canisters). Science teachers Chrissy Frantz and David Ericson assisted the groups of students with the rocket “fuel.” After the launch, the students measured the height each rocket traveled; then looked at the correlation between rocket weight and launch height. The students discovered that the lighter rockets gained the most height. The top rocket went more than 14 feet.