BDJMS Students Take Advantage of the Nice Weather

The Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Program took advantage of the early spring weather by testing bottle rocket designs.  The physics section of the program designed and built rockets made of two liter bottles and cardboard.  The students hypothesized and tested the variability of the nose and fin: sizes, shapes, placements and numbers.  The students used their test results to determine the best way to build a rocket that would launch the farthest and straightest.  Students used an air pressure system launcher using a bicycle pump and PVC piping to shoot their rockets a distance of approximately one hundred feet.

Students, both in the program and part of the school community, joined together after school to watch and have input on the rocket launch.  Jemile Perez, a student at BDJMS stated, “I had no idea middle school kids could build something this cool, this is absolutely awesome!”

The BDJMS STEM Program is in its second year and is grant funded.  The aim of the program is to give students enrichment based, hands-on, learning experiences in which they can take back into the classroom with their peers.  The program runs all year and includes physics, math, inventions and a robotics programs.