Rocketry Camp lets Arlington middle schoolers reach for the stars

ARLINGTON- Dozens of Arlington middle school students spent this week learning about aerodynamics, drag, thrust, lift and other concepts at Rocketry Camp.

The students built kites to learn about lift and drag, launched water rockets to understand thrust, created a capsule with an “egg-stronaut,” and shot rockets into the air. Organizers have also partnered with the Pacific Science Center so students can learn about infrared technology.

Seventh-graders Kendyll Simmons and Sarah Martin worked together to build a triangle-shaped kite. Using a fan in the hallway at Haller Middle School, they had to keep modifying their kite to get it to work.

They said they had to keep adjusting the placement of the string on the kite to give it the correct lift so it would fly into the air.

“This camp teaches the students great engineering and problem-solving skills all while having fun,” said Rachel Harrington, camp instructor and Haller science teacher. “We want to create a lifelong passion for learning.”