Vermont Cadets Share Rocketry with Fifth-Graders

Cadets from the Vermont Wing’s Catamount Composite Squadron recently helped make fifth-grade graduation at Maple Avenue Elementary School in Claremont, New Hampshire, an even more special occasion with an educational and entertaining model rocketry display. 

“Cadets were privileged to participate – and hopefully excite – students at the school’s ‘Blast Off to Sixth Grade’ ceremony, utilizing rockets, materials and lessons from Civil Air Patrol’s STEM Kit program,” said Capt. Jennifer Gagnon, squadron commander. Gagnon called the event “a great example of how students can apply their aerospace education and basic physics to build memorable real-world displays.” 

The fifth-graders had spent the school year’s last quarter learning about rocketry and Newton’s laws of motion, she said. The curriculum culminated with students constructing their own rockets and launching them at the celebration.

The 55 rockets launched were provided free of charge through CAP’s STEM Kit program.

The program provides CAP educator members with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) resources for hands-on, inquiry-based learning.  
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1st Lt. Peter Steinerman
Public Affairs Officer
Vermont Wing

Photos by Capt. Jennifer Gagnon, Vermont Wing