RELEASED: June 26, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—Whitney M. Young scholars aimed high with their latest project.

In Professor Mark Mojesky's science class, the students spent two days at Centre College designing and building rockets. Then they put their ingenuity to the test by launching them.

"(Building the rockets) teaches physics, gives the students ownership, teaches them hands-on skills, and teaches them about technology," Mojesky said. "Building with their hands applies what they read in the book."

The scholars constructed the rockets using such items as cardboard tubes from wrapping paper for the fuselage (the central body of the aircraft); Styrofoam for the nose; matting board for the fins; elastic cording and a grocery bag for a parachute; along with glue, imagination and a little luck.

When Mojesky presented the project to the scholars during the last week of camp, some were a little intimidated.

"I thought it was going to be hard, but when we got started, it was easy," Christy Angel said. "I've never built a rocket before, and I got to build one out of everyday things."

The students received instruction from their teacher, but used their creativity with design. Each rocket looked a little different from the next, whether it was the size of the fins or the shape of the nose.

"Designing was my favorite part," Davin Atkins said. "I've always wanted to do this and this was my chance. I think I did a pretty good job."

Not only did the students have fun, but they gained knowledge that will help them in future classes.

"I've learned things I hadn't learned in school," Hanh Pham said. "This might help me with physics next year."

The Whitney M. Young Scholars program concludes at Centre on June 27.

Participants in the two-week program at Centre are rising 11th-graders from the Jefferson County area. The Whitney M. Young Scholars Program recruits economically challenged, academically talented students from grades 7-12 to study on college campuses each summer. Over a six-year period the program prepares them for high school graduation and successful entry into post-secondary educational institutions.

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