The AP Physics 1 class had a prokectile motion lab this week.  They had to gather enough data and trials that when we randomly selected a vertical displacement (how far above or below the launcher the ring would be) that they were able to set angle, distance, and velocity for it to go through the hoop.  They even had a different selection of hoops to choose from.  This one went right through the middle on the first shot.  Way to go!

Paint Night will be held on November 14 at the High School cafeteria starting at 6pm.  For only $40, you will receive all of the materials and excellent instruction to paint the winter scene below.  Proceeds will benefit our Rocketry Team.  Snacks will be available throughout the evening for purchase as well.  Checks can be made payable to SGASD and you may also use the link to the right to pay with Paypal.

Below, you see the proof for the 2018 mission patch for our rocketry team that will be competing in the Battle of the Rockets.  The patches will be embroidered and will have an iron-on backing.  The patches will be worn by all team members this season and will be available for $2.

The Spring Grove Area High School rocketry team will be partnering with the Dover Area High School robotics team to compete in the Mars Rover event at the Battle of the Rockets.  Yesterday, the teams connected via video conference for the first time to discuss specifics about the event and competition.  The Dover team will build the rover that the rocket, created by the Spring Grove team, will take to a height of over 1000ft before deploying the rover for it to complete its mission.  This is the first joint mission between the two teams.  The partnership mirrors that of the various partnerships in the current space industry.  Space X, ULA and others built the rockets to launch the satellites designed and built by other companies or countries.

Recently we added a dual extruder to our 3D printer that now expands the possibilities for products.  The dual extruder enables us to print in two different colors or two different materials at once.  The print below was the first one printed on the printer with the letters printed in black and the rest of the kychain in Lulzbot green.

Another way for you to register for Paint Night and create the beautiful winter scene below.  Click the link below.  The event is on Tuesday November 14, at 6pm in the high school cafeteria. Registration is $40 each.

MDRA has posted the dates for their winter launches.  November 18 and 19 will be the first launch and it will also be the first launch where launches will resume at Higg's Farm.  December 16 and 17 will also be at Higg's Farm.  The rocketry team will attend both to prepare for the Battle of the Rockets.

Thank you ABC 27 for interviewing the rocketry team.  We have received such positive feedback since this aired.

The 2016 NASA SLI rocket made by team Tesla along with the presentation prepared by team members from the 2017 team, is on display at TE Connectivity's convention in North Carolina.  The display is generating much attention.  The prenetation outlines the participation and support of Spring Grove's rocketry team by TE Connectivity over the past 4 years.  

Ecah year TE Connectivity holds their Engineering and Technical Conference in Charlotte, NC.  This year, the Spring Grove NASA SLI Tesla rocket will be on display for all of those attending.  Besdie the rocket will be a display with a running PowerPoint created by Spring Grove team members about the NASA SLI program and our partneship with TE over the past 4 years.

The rocketry team will have their fall Paint Night on November 14 at 6pm in the high school cafeteria. The registration fee is $40 in advance and pays for all supplies and instruction to paint the following picture:

Proceeds from the night will benefit our rocketry team that will be participating in the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) competition and the Battle of the Rockets competition in April 2018.  The cost of preparing for and competing in these events can be well over $15,000.  Please support our rocket scientists.  The registration fee can be paid by check made payable to SGASD, cash, or through Paypal on our team website.  Please send all questions to [email protected].  

​Here is the registration form

What a great day for a launch.  The launch video below is the first TARC 2018 launch of the year with our new 3D printed transitions and nose cones.  Beautiful flight in a little wind.

The Spring Grove high powered rocketry team will be competing in the Battle of the Rockets event this year.  The Battle of the Rockets has three different events where the team will compete against other high schools and colleges from around the country including a Mars rover event, a sounding rocket event and an altitude event.  Please check out the website for more details.  http://www.rocketbattle.org/
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It is with regret that I am posting this update.  Spring Grove's team will not be participating in NASA SLI this year.  The panel of reviewers for the proposal only accepted the top 60 scoring teams and Spring Grove did not make the cut.  We will receive specific feedback about why in one to two weeks.  I met with the team this afternoon to share the news.  While we are very disappointed in the news, this is an opportunity to grow, work harder and get better.  We decided that we would like to keep the team intact (called Student Launch) and compete in other rocketry competitions like the Battle of the Rockets (http://www.rocketbattle.org/) and the National Sport Launch.  The team will also continue the outreach opportunities at the middle and elementary schools to light a spark in students about STEM.  Thank you for your support over the past 5 years from NASA SLI.  We move forward with our heads held high ready to take on the next aerospace challenge.

Today NASA will post the selected teams for the 2018 Student Launch program.  Stay tuned, we will post a link when notified.