So most of you know we support the NAR Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), and some of you have even worked with one of the teams that have come to our launches.
The question the rest of you might ask is "Is it doing any good?"
Well, as this note will show you, YES, it does. I've obvuscated it a bit to conceal the true identities, but it made me very happy to hear the following from Martha Thompson...
"The Gaston Day School TARC team has completed its third year of existence. The three original team members have now graduated high school. All three are certified at the Junior level for HPR through NAR. Jim Eddings has been the NAR mentor, with an unquenchable enthusiasm for the development of the team. He generously has given of his time to listen to rocket design ideas, travel to launches (Charlotte and Orangeburg), provide supplies when needed, and most importantly, encourage the boys at each step, or back step in the process. He stepped back and allowed them to make the decisions, to succeed or fail, and helped console them after many KATOs.
We now have three future scientists:
The first one will be attending Furman University in the Fall, pursuing a pre-engineering degree, with hopes to focus in Aeronautical Engineering.
Student number 2 is headed to St. Lawrence University to major in physics and engineering.
And student 3 will be at SUNY in Syracuse majoring in Environmental Science.
The rocketry exposure has solidified their interest in the science field, as they learned applied science, perseverance, details, the true meaning of the "scientific method" through trial and error.
Teenagers frequently find it difficult to recognize there are adults with useful knowledge who have a willingness to impart the same. Through the support of ROCC, each member of the team, collectively and individually have learned to seek guidance of you rocketry experts. Perhaps this will spill over into other areas of their lives as they explore new paths.
We can see a glimpse of how these boys are already "paying it forward", as this past school year they started a "Rocket Club" for 5th-6th graders and led the group of 19 through 2 builds and subsequent launches. They stood up to the challenge and have sparked the interest of many youngsters.
Thanks to all ROCC members who have asked questions, provided support, extracted rockets from trees, lent a tool, motor casings, or some epoxy over the years, and simply but significantly, reached out to encourage the GDS TARC team. We are working to put together a team for next year. It will be a building year, with one veteran, where new members will need your encouraging words even more, and any other support you will provide. "
-- Martha Thompson
TARC mom/facilitator/ROCC family member
June 3, 2013
Thanks Martha, and good luck to all of the students. I'm proud to have helped, even in a small way, with their pursuit of an exciting career.
Doc Russell
Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 7:48PM