Cc - Wednesday, April 4, 1984 - North Shore News FROM PAGE C1 GROWING For the past two years George has instructed begin- ners and more advanced students together, but this year the rocket club started off with 10 grade 4 students, al! beginners, who have been meeting each Monday after schoo! since October. George’s friend, Andrew Johnson, has also lent a help- ing hand during the sessions while Michael Goldberg, Community School Coor- dinator at Westover, looks after course promotion, registration and safety and provides adult supervision. Cost to each student for the 20 week course was $15 which paid for materials con- sisting of the same rocket kit for everyone, an engine and ali the glue and paint needed to complete the model. (Model kits and supplies are available at Pioneer Arts & Crafts in Westview Shopping Center and Lynn Valley Hob- by Horse.) SAFETY FIRST The first rocketry session began with a lecture on the importance of safety. Begin- ners were required to pass a safety exam regarding correct procedures and rules for launching rockets prior to Starting any work on the models. Once the students had passed the test, work began with George and Andrew assisting whenever necessary though each child was also encouraged to read directions contained in the rocket kit. After fitting the cardboard tubing together and setting in the plastic or balsa wood nose cone, a lot of patience and help is required to glue on the cardboard. or balsa fins. ‘The most difficult part 1s getting the fins straight,’ remarked one. student, ‘“‘because if you don't the rocket will go off course!”’ After the glue is dry and fins are secure, two or three coatsof spray paint are applied Blast-off and decals are put on. Streamers or parachutes are carefully placed inside the rocket and wadding is added before the dry chemical engine is put in. Some rockets not equipped with parachutes or streamers which slow des- cent to earth are reinforced at the fins with gauze since the fins are very fragile. After successfully building and launching level one rockets in January, rocket club enthusiasts tackled more comphicated level two and three rockets which were pur- chased separately. Just how well the students had built their second model was evi- dent March 5 when family, friends and teachers gathered at the school grounds. COUNTDOWN With everyone a distance away, countdown began, ignition was made causing an electric current to ignite the chemicals in the engine and the _ rockets jumped from the launch pad with a loud hissing sound and a puff of smoke. Rockets took off with such a burst of speed that it was sometimes difficult to follow the trajec- tory. But once the engine had burned and the rocket had at- tained maximum altitude, the last charge blew off the nose cone releasing the brightly colored parachute or Streamers which caught the eyes of the crowd and enabl- ed the recovery crew t6 catch some rockets just before they hit the ground. (Rockets which malfunction or are damaged in landing can often be repaired and_ re-flown with a new motor.) Prize wingers receiving cer- tificates of merit from the Hobby Horse for best craft- smanship were lan Theidel and Cory McDougall. Cory’s rocket also picked up second best) performance award while a rocket built by Joule McDonald took first prize. Both boys were presented with model rockets com- pleted and kindly donated by George who hopes to run the course again next fall safe New looks for spring. Lonsdale Style Shop bras a new look and so can you! Its easy with our affordable spring fashions in styles. and Colors to suit fabrics VOU Free draw! Liter to win anft certifi ates for | onsdale or tyle Sob > dinner tor two at Puce tats Lonsdale Style Shop 1564 L consdale North Van 98 8-0 737 PENELOPE McDONALD photo ROCKET CLUB volunteer instructor George Ptic shows two youngsters how to operate the rocket he holds in his hand. His instruction also includes showing the prospective builders how to make the rockets. FANNYS FABRIES WHI STORE HOURS MON WED 9-300 m.-6:00 pom THURS 9 30 am-8 00 pm FRI. 9:90 am 900 pom SAT 816 am440o.m SUN 1090am $065 m Fanny's has purchased a Manufacturer’s Clearance Of ACE & TRIMS YOUR CHOICE 25m SALE ENDS SATURDAY OR LE QUANTITITES LAST! YOUR FABRIC SUPERMARKET FANNYS FABRIES 710 WEST 14TH ST., NORTH VANCOUVER | 980-0554