Rockets to the rescue

BROOKINGS, S.D. – While most people have only ever seen a bottle rocket, rockets are about much more than celebrating July 4.

“Rockets have been utilized since the 12th century for warfare. However, these aircraft have more than just social and military purposes. Rockets are also utilized for spaceflight and even rescue missions,” said Christine Wood, 4-H Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Field Specialist.

This year, youth will receive the opportunity to explore the field of aerospace engineering as they design a rocket to send on a rescue mission by participating in the National Youth Science Day Experiment.

“National Youth Science Day Experiment is a great way to learn engineering concepts, develop math skills, and learn about nutrition as they design a rocket to deliver a payload of food to natural disaster victims,” Wood said.

How it works?

The experiment is broken into three different hands-on activities for ages 10 and up:

1. My how Thyme Flies! – Build a rocket and payload capsule for four raisins and a sprig of thyme and get close to the target.

2. Incoming! Fragile Fruit Payload – Build a payload capsule to protect three red raspberries

3. Really Fast Food to the Rescue! – Build and launch a payload that meets specific nutritional and weight requirements and is also low cost.

Register today

National Youth Science Day (NYSD) will take place Oct. 8, 2014. To participate, youth order science kits for the NYSD from the 4-H Mall by visiting www.4-hmall.org. Kits should be ordered by late August in order to ensure arrival by Oct. 8.

If you plan on holding an event, make sure to register the event on the National 4-H website (http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/).

Registering your event enters you into the weekly drawing, which begin July 31, by the National 4-H Council for a $150 Visa gift card.

There will be 10 drawings between July 31 and Oct 2, so registering your event early gives you a larger chance of winning.

To learn more about 4-H NYSD, visit http://www.4-h.org/nysd/ or contact Christine Wood by e-mailing christine.wood@sdstate.edu or call her at the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Sioux Falls, 605.782.3290.