Houston, We are Go for Launch!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

“In my own little corner, in my own little world, I can be whatever I want to be,” are the words Cinderella sang in her classic movie after being forced into the corner for ‘misbehavior’. The children in this inner city school feel that way most of the time when it comes to dreams and exciting school projects. These culturally diverse students are so excited about learning that they will come to school early on science days to see if they can be part of this program just a little longer. As their science teacher, I want to do everything I can to make this a reality for them.

As their teacher, we have talked about many things that we can do to make science learning fun and allow them the possibility to get their hands involved on different projects. I try to require a written or computer-driven response to everything we do so that they incorporate various skills needed for future careers. We want to learn about space flight, aerodynamics, career options and the process of building a flight-worthy craft. They have been asking me for this for over a year and here is an opportunity to collect the things we need to make this happen. Each child would have the opportunity to build a rocket, launch it, just as NASA does, and then create a report that they will present to their peers about their own project. We have this huge field in back of our school that can be used for the launch area and could even invite some of the younger classes out to watch on Launch Day. Those students who built the rockets could then create their presentation, defining the scientific processes used and develop their speaking and presentation skills at the same time. We have no funds for this event however, and no supplies for this to become a reality. We have the site and the desire, however!

We need rocket kits, engines and the launch pad supplies in order to make this happen for our students. What an amazing possibility to see future astronauts, engineers, or design personnel come from this activity! We have the field, now all we need are the supplies! I can already see how the children will react when they see that they will finally get a chance to build a rocket and launch it for themselves.

You can help us make this become a reality for these students. If you could help us fund this project, that gratefulness of our students will warm your heart for many days to come. I love to fuel their dreams and ideas and you can help make them come to pass. Thank you so much in advance for your help in making the lives of these inner city children a little more fulfilled. Science thanks you, and maybe one day, NASA will, too!