Austin Rocket Club Launches on the Seawall

Today, on a cold, clear day on the beach, at Seawall and 11th Street, promptly at 11:00 AM, the Austin Middle School Rocket Club successfully launched 15 Estes model rockets. The Club’s Advisor is Bill McAdams, a third year Engineering teacher at Austin. The Rocket Club is sponsored by G.I.S.D.'s 21st Century Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) program. The Coordinator for Austin's 21st Century ACE program is Joel Delatorre.

There were over 85 people watching from the beach, seawall and the comfort of their cars! Dedicated parents, students and friends gathered to cheer each of the launches on this chilly day in Galveston.

The idea to form the Austin Rocket Club was stimulated by Mary Case of Galveston Reads when she approached Mc Adams about sponsoring a joint event relating to Galveston Read’s book of the year “Rocket Boys”.

Following the beach launches, three Austin students provided a presentation at Galveston College on software programs used within Austin’s STEM program. Alejandro Salazar, a 5th grader, demonstrated a NASA model rocket simulation program. Skler Wetmore, a 6th grader, demonstrated the West Point Bridge Building software. Aurora Reinmiller, a 7th grader, demonstrated the use of sophisticated engineering software. Alejandro and Aurora are students enrolled in the STEM program, while Skyler is enrolled in the College Preparatory program at Austin.
With 40 people in the audience, the student presentations impressed all the future rocket boys and rocket girls, along with their parents and the Galveston Read’s community.

Thanks to Mr. McAdams, Galveston College for the room and Mosquito Cafe for donations towards refreshments, and our own Kat for the pics and Lynn for the design of program!