I took a half day today and visited Rhonda’s third-grade class. Instead of guitar, we launched model rockets that the boys and I have flown before. I took these to one of the middle schools in Vineland back before COVID.

Der Max

I launched this rocket first, using a small “a” class engine, which isn’t very powerful for this fairly heavy rocket. That worked out well–the kids got to see it shoot up into the air, but at a very visible distance, and tumble back to the earth. This one will fly again.

Big Bertha

I launched Bertha using a larger “b” class engine, and it made a marked difference. Big Bertha always stayed within eyesight, but it rose nice and high, and the parachute deployed faithfully. We then watched her sail off into the trees. Alas.

Star Trooper

These tiny-sized rockets might be my favorite. On a tiny engine, they disappear in a flash. We’ve made a handful of them over the years. One eagle-eyed third grader even spied the grounded rocket on the field, so despite a fin repair, the Star Trooper shall fly again too.