Young minds take wing with soaring rockets
BY Jan TenBruggencate Navy Petty Officer Johnny Michael photos
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Forty kids at the Pacific Missile Range Facility's Summer Science Camp completed the weeklong program Friday with a blast, firing off rockets they'd built themselves.
The students from West Kaua'i Boys and Girls Clubs spent the week touring military facilities at the base, viewing demonstrations of equipment and capabilities, and getting lessons in a range of scientific topics. In many cases, they were able to practice what they learned, said range public affairs officer Tom Clements.
For example, after a lecture on the principles of flight from a representative of Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, they tried out their knowledge with Frisbees. They also built miniature telescopes after discussions of lasers and optics.
The students visited the missile range's launch pads Thursday, then built model rockets. The rockets lifted off Friday under the oversight of Jerry Nishihira, of the Waimea High School Aeronautical and Science Academy.
"This is the first science camp in which PMRF's range staff and equipment (were) brought together with local high-tech companies to provide actual lessons and demonstrations for the campers," Clements said.
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Students watched excitedly on Friday as rockets they built at the Pacific Missile Range Facility\'s Summer Science Camp headed toward the heavens. Forty youngsters from West Kaua\'i Boys and Girls Clubs participated in the weeklong program.
Students prepared handmade rockets for liftoff Friday as part of the Pacific Missile Range Facility\'s Summer Science Camp. The launches were the finale to a week of experiments, lessons and tours.
