Egg-citing time for junior rocketeers

Only one of the “eggstronauts” survived the launch, but all provided entertainment and education for Green Mountain’s math and science club.

Students tested their water rockets made from pop bottles, duct tape and cardboard under the watchful eye of teacher Matthew Mills. Their mission was to launch a rocket and protect the egg from a crash landing.

Getting the supplies to make the rocket proved to be the most difficult part of the challenge for third-grader Drew Strep. Luckily his mom had hosted a wedding shower so pop bottles became available, he said.

He and partner Kyle Cleven, a sixth-grader, developed a rocket with two bottles, one to hold the water and one to hold the egg.

Pow, the rocket, filled with compressed air and water, shot up into the sky and slammed down on the earth’s surface. Yolk dripping from the inner compartment told of the egg’s end.

Nathaniel Ragsdale had high hopes for his rocket. He placed bubble wrap inside a 20-ounce pop bottle before he placed the egg inside. He wrapped that with more bubble wrap and stuffed packing peanuts in the compartment.

Countdown. Launch. Disaster. His cushioning could not save his egg from a yolky demise.

“I’m disappointed that the parachute didn’t come out,” Ragsdale said. Despite his failed attempt at protecting the egg, he cheered others on as they tested their strategies.

“It survived,” yelled an excited Marissa Gray after she retrieved her rocket. The eggstronaut was unharmed and flew a second mission with the same results. Her rocket had a detachable compartment for the egg, a unique design. Although the compartment did not detach during either flight, the pink sponge stuffed inside cushioned the egg’s landing.

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