BLAST'EM HIGH - "Rocket Science" At Calhoun Middle-High School

(01/30/2006)

Science students at Calhoun Middle-High School spend the first week of the new semester refreshing their science skills, including knowledge of scientific method.

Mrs. Pitts challenged her ninth-graders to use Alka-Seltzer and water as fuel to shoot a film canister "rocket" as high as possible. Most of the groups were able to almost reach the roof of the school's second story.

In Chemistry class the students were challenged to use vinegar and baking soda as fuel to shoot a cork into a coffee can from a distance of five yards. Despite a stiff breeze, most groups accomplished their goal.

The students left class understanding that while the scientific method is defined as a set of steps, it is actually a circular process.

They refined their hypothesis over and over until they reached the conclusion that their hypothesis was correct. Mrs. Pitts said she was impressed by her students' application of this essential science skill.

Calhoun High School