PISCES staff prepare rocket engines on derby cars designed by middle school students during a STEAM workshop.
More than 100 students in grades K – 7 gathered at E. B. DeSilva Elementary School to attend Hawaii Science and Technology Museum’s Fall Break STEAM Camp during Oct. 9 – 10, 2024. The annual workshop is themed on magic and wizardry and includes activities in chemistry, electricity, biology, music, drama, dance, aerodynamics, archery, crafts, and physical fitness.
PISCES Avionic Engineer Amber Imai-Hong teaches a lesson on the four forces of flight to students at the 2024 Fall Break STEAM Camp.
PISCES staff led an aerodynamics workshop during the three-day event, teaching students about the four forces of flight and how they relate to automobile designs. The students were then tasked with designing, decorating, and assembling rocket-powered cars using a pinewood derby kit. Armed with super glue, popsicle sticks, stickers, neon marks, pom poms and wiggle eyes, the students built a variety of creative vehicles ranging from party buses and limousines to race cars and aircraft.
Later, PISCES staff installed rocket motors in each car and launched them in pairs down a makeshift raceway in the school parking lot. Students and staff joined in chanting a three-second countdown before each launch, the cars charging down the tracks in a blur of fire and smoke that ended in brief explosions. Despite the blast, each car survived its speed test and left the students excited about the ingenuity of their inventions.
PISCES intends to participate in the STEAM camp again next year.
Mahalo to Hawaii Science & Technology Museum for their efforts to organize the camp and engage youth in the Hilo community!