FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2003

Elementary students shoot for the stars
How do you build a rocket? Just ask Grade 5 and 6 students who are teamed up with Bayside Secondary’s NetSolutions students.

The elementary students are participating in a unique opportunity to understand the principles behind flight and motion. Through Bayside’s NetSolutions program, elementary and high school students team up to design, build, then launch rockets.

A typical class of elementary students is divided into groups of six and each group works under the supervision of two high school students throughout the day. The high school leaders develop computer programs to simulate rocket flight and the younger students build the rockets. Before a rocket is designed and built, students run multiple tests in a computer simulated environment. They manipulate variables to determine how to best adjust their design to gain more height and distance.

After the virtual testing, students move to the design and construction phases. All rockets are launched in a final competition. So far, this year’s distance record is 105 metres!

Response to the one-day workshop is tremendous, with fifth and sixth graders exclaiming that it’s the best field trip they’ve ever had and they wish they could come back next year to build rockets!

Teacher Luanne Legault comments, “It is such a positive experience for everyone involved, especially my Grade 5 and 6 students. Bayside’s NetSolutions students exhibit excellent leadership skills in every aspect of the workshop.”

NetSolutions is a three credit integrated program that focuses on solving problems using technology. Students receive credits in Computer Programming, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology. The project is made possible by a grant from Clarica. Funds are used to support teacher planning time, project materials, and transportation costs to and from Bayside. Clarica provides life insurance products through nearly 100 offices in Canada and the United States, including Belleville.

Media representatives are invited to attend a workshop at Bayside Secondary School on Thursday, May 22nd, or Tuesday, May 27th, anytime during the school day.

For information contact Bayside Secondary School:
• Paul Pickard, Teacher, 966-2922, ext. 2179 pickard@hpedsb.on.ca
• Ron Harris, Principal, 966-2922, ext. 2122 rharris@hpedsb.on.ca