Sport Rocketry

16 MAY/JUNE 2022 SPORT ROCKETRY very excited that we had learned and done so much! We had the opportunity to meet wonderful and knowledgeable people like Vern and Gleda Estes, Bob and Peter Al- way, Bob and Judy Kaplow, Gary and Fran Miller, Nancy and John Vandervoot, and many more at NARAM-59. e next meet was at the 2019 National Sport Launch on Lucerne Dry Lake, California. I signed up my husband Antonio and a second neph- ew, Casey Paul, with NAR memberships, grabbed my parents, and went for a sec- ond attempt on my level one high power certification with my Apogee LOC IV "All Is Well" rocket pictured on the cover of the July/August 2020 issue of Sport Rock- etry. All was well because it was a beautiful launch and a successful recovery! All of this was super, and just when I thought my cloud of excitement was de- scending I found and signed up for the narTcert teacher professional development and successfully completed it. I had just become a rocket science teacher! "Other teachers have to do this," I again thought to myself. So I sought to get permission to lead other teachers thru narTcert. Aer getting the blessing from the NAR Educa- tion Chairman, Vince Huegele, I began to develop a hands-on professional develop- ment based off of narTcert. I would call it BARST, which stands for "Becoming A Rocket Science Teacher." is pilot program was four months long and teachers got face-to-face (well, virtual face-to-face, thanks to COVID-19), hands-on training and experience with rockets and materials needed to build them. ey got a deeper understanding of what was needed to take rocketry back to their classrooms using the state standards. Teachers received tips that work to keep students safe and productive, both in the classroom while building rockets and on the field while launching. Topics mirrored narTcert with sessions in Rocket History, Rocket Science, Regulations, and NAR Safety Code. Teachers who desired some- thing different and exciting in the class- room began to sign up and express their excitement about this new professional development. COVID-19 had changed things a lot, and teachers were under a lot of pressure. Rockets are not common in classrooms but are educational. ey also bring life, excitement, and joy to the hearts and faces of teachers and students. Re- quirements were only to join the National Association of Rocketry and be willing to learn and then go teach. Supplies for teach- ers were purchased using the receipt of the NAR's $500 Robert L. Cannon Award. Oth- "I need a professional development that is actually going to professionally develop me," I thought to myself ! Little did I know my thought would lead me to Becoming A Rocket Science Teacher and helping others do the same! You see, I have a very unique job. For the last fourteen years, I have been a mis- sion commander at the Challenger Learn- ing Center of Richland One in Columbia, South Carolina. We do simulated space flight missions, robotics, rocketry, and hands on science! I love teaching rocketry and I love my job! So, I went on the hunt for help to do it better. My hunt turned up some pretty awe- some finds. I found a Girl Scout astronomy train the trainer camp in Tucson, Arizona, Space Camp for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama, and the National Association of Rocketry aka "NAR." e NAR has not only been a great organization to receive professional development from but an or- ganization that I can pull others into as well! I have enjoyed growing and develop- ing my skills in this organization. My first meeting was NARAM-59, held in Mus- kegon, Michigan. I signed up my 11-year- old nephew Cameron Paul with a Junior membership and took him with me. We both brought home medals and were so Becoming a Rocket Science Teacher and Helping Others Do So Too! by Robin Jackson BARST and family.

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