Rocket Science Exhibition
Preschool / Spark Studio
“How many Shopkins can you rescue from the world’s deepest hole, the Kola Superdeep Borehole?” That was the PS Eagles’ challenge for the Rocket Science Quest. To succeed, the Eagles went through several steps. They started off by learning about different types of rockets and thought about what materials they would need to build them.
They then formed teams and created the different types of rockets, after-which they experimented with each rocket through a process of trial and error, observation and recording. Changes and repairs were made, as were tweaks to the flight techniques.
The PS Eagles tried Straw Rockets, Stomp Rockets, Balloon Rockets, and also dropped food down the Borehole with a Balloon Parachute. They narrowed the decision down by conducting a Heavy Lifting Experiment to determine which Rocket could lift the most Shopkins (represented by pegs) out. In the end, they determined that Stomp Rockets were the most effective. Even then, they still continued to experiment with flight techniques to save the optimum number of Shopkins.
On Exhibition Day, the energy was high and the Eagles were focussed on their mission. They attached the Shopkins to the Rockets. They prepared their Stomp Rockets and Launchers on the Rooftop Play Area. AR took to the microphone with the Eagles’ challenge: “Can the PS Studio save the Shopkins from the bottom of the Kola Superdeep Borehole using Heavy Lifting Stomp Rockets?”
The PS Eagles did just that with calm and confidence gained from 6 weeks of building rocket after rocket, testing, and retesting over and over. Going in pairs, they launched their Stomp Rockets as high as they could …. up & up & up … those that went over the Borehole wall got out! YAY!
At the end of the Exhibition, AR reported that 20 Shopkins were saved, and the PS Eagles celebrated with a 3-2-1 Clap!
Elementary School Studio
Rocket Launch
“SpaceX has chosen ActonKL as a new Astronaut Training Center — teams will compete at the Rocket Science Exhibition to see who earns their spot as an Astronaut.”
Challenged with this, the ES Eagles formed teams and set to it by analyzing rocket designs to see which ones might be the most aerodynamic and powerful. They then analyzed what materials would give their rocket the edge over their competitors’. Even fuel was analysed – amount, quality and application.
Then came hours and days of trials, experimentation, failure, tweaking, reanalysis, frustration and … triumph … for some. Launches were planned and executed, countless hours of research waded through. The experimentation process also invites self-awareness … how do you deal with failure? How do you acknowledge triumph?
The ES Eagles experimented with Balloon Line Rockets, Baking Soda and Vinegar Rockets, Straw Rockets, Stomp Rockets, Water Rockets, and Parachute Rockets. They discussed the basic science of rockets, safety vis a vis ignition, data analysis, altitude tracking and calculation, as well as rocket design.
All this culminated on Exhibition Day in a competition for the top spot! The Launch Site was set in the Rooftop Play Area, and 2 emcees set the mood for the attendees. The mood was tense but excited and … the competition began!
Team after team set and fired their rockets with efficiency and precision during the Qualifying Round. The qualifiers went through to the next round and the competition was over in a flash, leaving it up to the emcees to finalise and announce the winner … which was L’s team! The winning rocket design was created from a polystyrene water gun tube – as it flew the best. Congratulations, L, S and AND!
Science-Based Fiction
The ES Eagles then showcased their Writer’s Workshop pieces, which this Sprint was Science-Based Fiction – fiction built around, or containing, scientific fact. The Eagles stood by to discuss their pieces with attendees. Imagination was high, yet there seemed to be various themes running through the pieces … animals and space, interspersed with a creative story about an air pollution monster and another story about our old gaming friends Mario and Luigi.
Next Great Adventure (NGA) & Personal Quest Exhibition
Middle School / Launchpad Studio
Personal Quest
“What is your NGA – your Next Great Adventure?” The MSLP Eagles explored this question this Sprint as they thought about the next step in their Hero’s Journey – post school and into the world beyond.
It’s a daunting question, but one that is vital to answer with clear thought and open, honest minds and hearts. The Eagles found that it’s actually not that daunting if they break the process into steps, the first step being to go into deep introspection about:
“Who am I?”
“Who am I meant to be?”
“Where do I fit in in this world?”
To explore these questions, the MSLP Eagles embarked on Personal Quests – projects that were close to their hearts. These projects helped to narrow down their passions and highlight their proclivities and interests, as well as any potential weaknesses they might have. Through these explorations, the Eagles discovered more about themselves, too.
NGA Board
Once these questions were explored, they found that they could identify passions that drove them to get up in the morning. For 1 Eagle, it is video editing, for another Eagle, it is film directing. An Eagle who is fascinated by primates has discovered Primatology. Another Eagle is driven to go into Environmental Science, and another is leaning towards working with children or in the field of psychology. 1 Eagle is looking into Photography or graphic design.
The next step was to research further into their chosen fields – What do they really entail on a day-to-day basis? Does the daily work really suit me? What credentials are required to enter the field? What character traits? What would the pay-scale look like?
Then the Eagles took action to make these theoretical ideas come to life. Projects, apprenticeships, real-world experiences, deliberate skill practise and mentorships brought their chosen professions to life for them and gave them a clearer picture of what their NGA would look like. All the while, they leaned on their peers for warm-hearted support and tough-minded critique to spur them on their journeys.
On Exhibition day, the MSLP Eagles confidently walked attendees through their plans, answering questions about the whys and the hows. They were given real-world feedback from attendees who happened to be in the know about the fields they are interested in, and some were even offered apprenticeship connections and commission jobs during the exhibition itself! It was an eye-opener for both the Eagles and the attendees alike.
