Transcript Reach for the Stars Model Rocket Contest

How to Host
a
Local
Competition
PowerPoint Presentation - Jack Colpas
Photos - Kathy Colpas
©2005, 2009, 2012, 2013
All rights reserved
Use arrow keys to move through program
Hosting a Local Contest
is as easy as…
3…
2…
1…
3…
Choose your Level of Competition
Order your rocketry supplies
2…
Build your rockets
Launch
1…
Mark & measure landing spots
Award certificates & submit your results
3…
* Order your rocketry supplies
* Registration fees included FREE when ordering from
The Rocketman or SciCon Services
Competition
* Ages 10 to 18
* Rockets must be built according to
manufacturers instructions
* Competitors must build, prep and
launch their own rocket
* One rocket per competitor
* All help is ‘hands-off’
* Closest average landing from on-field target after 2
launches wins local event
* Results are submitted to Competition Headquarters to
determine the three National Winners.
* 3 National winners get the opportunity to celebrate
under an “October Sky” at Space Camp.
See Contest Rules posted at www.TheRocketman.net for Details
Rocket Choices
There are many Rocket Kits available
that qualify.
Here are some of the most popular
models.
* Estes (Alpha, Alpha III, Gen.E2X)
* Quest (Astra, Astra III)
* Custom (Freedom, Venture)
*
– or build your own!
*
Length 11 ½” to 15 ½” Diameter 7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ”
Kits come with easy-to-follow instructions.
Engines & Accessories
* Launch with Estes A8-3 Engines or
*
Quest A6-4 Motors
* Electric ignition from a safe distance
* Must use Parachute Recovery
* 11 ½” to 14 ½“ diameter
* Some or all of the ‘spill hole’ may be removed
* Maximum 4 ¼ “ diameter circle
* Standard Launch Pad & Rod
* must be no longer than 38 inches
Rocketry Supplies
To order go to
www.RocketCompetition.com
or
www.TheRocketman.net
Click on “STORE”
??? Not certain what to order ???
Just e-mail or call
(941) 955-3958
[email protected]
We’ll send a ‘no cost - no obligation’ estimate.
2…
* Build
* Launch
FLMS Teachers
(Check out the Rocket Drying Rack)
* Building and launching can take place on separate days
Brentwood Elementary
Rocket Construction
* Build your rockets
* Detailed instructions are included with each
rocket kit
* Approximately 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours to build
* Can be built over several days
* See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code at
the end of this presentation
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
* Contestants must build their own rocket
* Help is strictly Hands-Off
* Verbal coaching, demonstration and video
instruction are acceptable
* NOTE: Exceptions for Special Needs competitors
are at the discretion of the local contest judges.
Location
* Sports fields make great launch sites
* Be aware of fire danger
* Clear away any dry grass or debris from around the
launch pad
* Contact local fire department if needed
* For safety sake – launch only when winds are
below 20 mph
*
See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code
* at the end of this presentation
* Set target 30 feet downrange of launch pad
* It must be stationary and clearly visible
* A dowel and flag or nail through a paper
* work fine
* All participants and spectators must be
at a safe distance
* At least 15 feet from launch pad
* Behind the launch control
OCPS Teacher Workshop
Rocket Preparation
* Push flame-proof wadding into body tube
* one piece at a time
* ball loosely
* Pack parachute
* a little talcum powder helps
* install engine (motor)
* Must use A8-3 or A6-4 power
* lock into place
* Insert igniter - Just prior to launch
* The igniter tip is brittle ~ Handle Carefully
* Make certain the wires do not cross
Remember – ‘Help is strictly Hands-Off’
Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are acceptable
Launch Preparation
* Slide rocket down launch rod
* Rod may be angled into the wind to
control landing
* An angle less than 30 degrees from
vertical must be used
* NAR Pink Book ~ Spot-landing
contest rule #5.4 Launching Device
* Attach alligator clips
* One to each igniter wire
* There are no positive (+) or negative (-)
leads
Launch
* Insert (or depress) safety key
* You should get a ready light
* (or sound)
* Call out “Ready to launch!”
* Give a loud countdown
* Just like NASA does
* Press the Launch Button
* Watch your rocket fly!
1…
Mark & measure the landings
Award certificates & submit your results
Mark & Measure
* Mark the first touchdown spot of the tip of the nosecone
* Cable marker flags, bamboo skewers, golf tees, nails or screws
with small flags make good markers
* If judges cannot agree on the spot – landing will be marked halfway
between the two spots in question
* All that pass safety inspection - launch again
* Closest average landing of the 2 launches WINS the local event
* Measure winner’s distances to the nearest ¼ inch
* Any landing that is not measurable is recorded as 50 feet
* Fill out National Entry Form
On Permanent Display
at the Astronaut Hall of Fame
Contest Wrap-up
* Closest average distance from the target after 2 launches
WINS Local Event!
* Only the winner’s results must be measured with accuracy
* Average = landing 1 distance + landing 2 distance / 2
* Note: convert to inches before averaging
* Award Certificates to all
* Participants, Judges and Helpers
* may be done later
* awards ceremony, parent night, etc.
* Fill out and submit Entry Form
* Annual deadline posted on website
FLMS 2010 local winner
At G.WIZ
* Entries from local events are used to determine the 3 National
Winners
* National Winners invited to celebrate under an “October Sky” at Space
Camp
Competition Forms
* Achievement Certificates
* Hand out to all participants
* Contestants, host, judges
* and helpers
* Local Winner’s Certificate
* Award to contestant with the
* closest average landing
* After 2 flights
Suitable for Framing
* Flight Log
* Use to record individual launches
* This form is optional
* National Entry Form
* Fill out and get signatures
* Submit form to contest Headquarters by
Deadline
See complete competition rules for details
Local Event Requirements
* At least 10 Contestants
*
Each contestant must build and launch their own rocket
* Two adult Judges
*
*
Admin or full time staff required for Collegiate Challenge
One judge must have ‘official’ title
*
*
i.e. Principal, ranking Police or Fire Dept. Officer,
Public Official, Mayor, Governor, etc,
* Target
*
30 feet from launch pad, easily visible
* Measuring Tape
*
2013 National Winners
Measurements up to 50 feet will be taken, accurate to ¼ inch
Launch at Astronaut Hall of Fame
* Launch Field
*
Sport fields (baseball, football, etc.) work fine
* National Entry Form
*
Must be submitted to contest headquarters by Deadline
Certifying Results
National Entry Form
* 1. Requires signatures from:
* Two adult judges
* One must be a Public Official
* Admin or full time staff required for Collegiate Challenge
* School Admin, Police or Fire Officer, Scout District
Leader, etc.
* Contest host may serve as judge
* Winner (parent or guardian signature needed for minors)
* Three Rocket Contest participants
* 2. Must be received at contest headquarters by Deadline
* Posted on website
* 3. Entries must be on original, numbered form
* Submission accepted by mail, fax or e-mail
Quick Reference Guide
Length
11 ½ ” to 15 ½ ”
Diameter
7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ”
Parachute
Plastic
Minimum four shrouds
8” to 14” in length
Diameter
11 ¼ ” to 14 ½ ”
Fins
3 to 5
Non-metal
Engines
(motors)
A8-3
A6-4
Launch Rod
Length 38”
maximum
Launch Angle
less than 30° from vertical
Target
30’ downrange
Clearly visible
Rocket
Weight not to exceed 2 ½ oz (71 g)
*including parachute*without engine /
motor Note: No weight may be added to
affect altitude.
A postal scale is helpful
for weighing rockets
All or part of spill-hole may be removed
(max 4 ¼”diam.)
Note: nothing may be done to prevent the
parachute from opening fully
See rules for details
stationary
State Winners’ Competition
* US Space & Rocket Center - Space Camp
* Huntsville, Alabama
* Launch from
* Homer Hickam Field
* Experience the
* Space Simulators
* ….& more!
Launch from Homer Hickam Field
Ride Space Sims
Transportation and meals not included
State Winners
* Celebrate at * Space Camp at the
* US Space & Rocket Center
* In “Rocket City” Huntsville, Alabama
National Winners
* Launch from Homer Hickam Field
* Receive –
* Certificate
* Commemorative Space Shuttle Challenger bronze coin.
“Memories to last a lifetime and
bragging rights for generations to come!”
.
If anyone should ask….
.
“I never knew I could build a rocket.
Let alone make it FLY!”
Booker Middle School student
Sarasota Middle
Braden River Middle
resistance
Newton’s Laws
friction
chemistry
aerodynamics
gravitation
triangulation
math
force & motion
Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition &
Helping Kids Reach for the Stars ~ Rocketry Program
are endorsed by:
Astronauts
Bill Readdy
Mark Lee
Jon McBride
Competitor’s Name
Group
Moon Walker / Astronaut / Artist
Alan Bean
Tom Jones
Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition &
Helping Kids Reach for the Stars ~ Rocketry Program
are endorsed by:
Astronauts
Jerry Ross
Marcos Pontes
John Blaha
Senator Bill Nelson
Kennedy Space Center Director,
Astronaut Bob Cabana inspires
YMCA kids pre-launch
Local Hosts choose an American Astronaut to Honor with their Event
N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE
part 1
1. MATERIALS. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my
rocket.
2. MOTORS. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not
tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by
the manufacturer.
3. IGNITION SYSTEM. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and
electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the
launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when
released.
4. MISFIRES. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch
system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will
wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the
rocket.
5. LAUNCH SAFETY. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is
paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets
with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain
about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight
and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance.
6. LAUNCHER. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to
within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I
will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To
prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is
above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE
part 2
7. SIZE. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will
not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 poundseconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453 grams)
at liftoff or has more than 4 ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and comply
with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.
8. FLIGHT SAFETY. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and
will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
9. LAUNCH SITE. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as
shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no
greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch
pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS. Equivalent Motor Type A ~ Minimum Site Dimensions 100 ft
10 RECOVERY SYSTEM. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in
my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use
only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
11. RECOVERY SAFETY. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees,
or other dangerous places.
We have everything ready.
Contact us. The kids need your help!
Jack & Kathy Colpas, program directors
(941) 955-3958
Over 50 years of combined
experience as educators.
[email protected]
www.TheRocketman.net
Wishing you
light winds
on launch day!