No, that was not an unidentified flying object in Mr. Steffen’s classroom on Wednesday. It was just the aviation students launching a cargo of paper clips.
It may not have been the stratosphere, but the new Aviation program at West Creek is taking baby steps to get there.
According to Mr. Steffen, the class’s goal was to help the space program progress by lowering the cost of sending cargo and supplies into space. Working as an engineer, they had to use engineering practices to design and develop heavy-lift rockets.
Students designed a launch system for balloon rockets using fishing line or smooth string that was attached to the ceiling as a guide for the rocket’s path. They threaded a straw through the line or string to act as a guide.
The final goal was to get as many paper clips (the cargo) as possible to reach the ceiling (space) using the launch system.
The fledgling Aviation program is in its first year at West Creek. Mr. Steffen teaches two Aerospace courses to 34 freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
