Group 2 Announces Model Rocketry Challenge
Group 2 Model Rocketry Challenge
During the current national health crisis, Group 2 is sponsoring the Group 2 Model Rocketry Challenge. The goal of this event is to engage our cadets in exciting Aerospace Education activities and to recognize their achievements in the model rocketry program. Cadets who participate in the model rocketry program will have the model rocketry kits provided to them free of charge as they move through the three states of the rocketry program.
Registration Phase – ends August 15th, 2020
During the registration phase, Squadron Commanders, Aerospace Education Officers (AEOs) and Cadet Programs Officers will promote the Group 2 Model Rocketry Challenge to their cadets. This can include having guest speakers come to their squadron to discuss the program with their members.
Cadets will be provided with a registration link to sign up for the challenge through their California Wing (cawg) email accounts. Cadets cannot participate in the Model Rocketry Challenge unless they register. Late registrations require Squadron Commander approval. All cadets who have not yet earned their Model Rocketry badge are eligible to participate.
After August 15th, Group 2 staff members will obtain the hands-on materials needed for all registered cadets to complete the Redstone Phase of the Model Rocketry Program and distribute them to cadets.
Redstone Phase – ends September 21, 2020
The first week of the Redstone Phase (September 1-7) includes self-learning, reading and homework in the Model Rocketry 2015 textbook which is downloadable in eServices. The subject matter is history of rockets and rocketry pioneers. Optionally, courses to further enhance this written phase can be conducted at the squadron level or cadets can attend a group level event which will be done on a Saturday via Microsoft Teams. Cadets are invited to ask questions on a channel provided in the Group 2 Learning team.
The second week of the Redstone Phase (September 8-14) is focused on cadet testing. Cadets must earn a 70% on the online Redstone test. Once this milestone is reached, the cadet can proceed to the Hands-On Phase. Cadets who pass the Redstone Test will have the materials for the Titan phase provided to them for free.
The third week of the Redstone Phase (September 9-21) is focused on support for cadets to complete the build of two rockets. Each rocket will use an alternate source of power. Materials for these two builds will be provided to cadets ahead of time and cadets can seek help and guidance in the Microsoft Teams channel set up for this challenge. Cadets can either share their launch live or they can record their launches and share video. Signoffs can be done at either the squadron or group level.
At the completion of the Redstone Phase, cadets will be awarded the Redstone Phase completion certificate.
Titan Phase – ends October 12, 2020
The first week of the Titan Phase (September 22-28) includes self-learning, reading and homework in the Model Rocketry 2015 textbook which is downloadable in eServices. The subject matter is rocket physics and aerodynamics. Optionally, courses to further enhance this written phase can be conducted at the squadron level or cadets can attend a group level event which will be done on a Saturday via Microsoft Teams. Cadets are invited to ask questions on a channel provided in the Group 2 Learning team.
The second week of the Titan Phase (September 29-October 5) is focused on cadet testing. Cadets must earn a 70% on the online Titan test. Once this milestone is reached, the cadet can proceed to the Hands-On Phase. Cadets who pass the Titan Test and the Saturn Test will have the materials for the Saturn phase provided to them for free.
The third week of the Titan Phase (October 6-12) is focused on support for cadets to complete the build of two rockets. Materials for these two builds will be provided to cadets ahead of time and cadets can seek help and guidance in the Microsoft Teams channel set up for this challenge. During this phase, the cadets will prove that the models are stable and will demonstrate the swing test. Rockets will NOT be launched as part of this phase but instead will be launched as part of a yet-to-be-planned launch date that cadets will be invited to participate in.
Saturn Phase – ends November 2, 2020
The first week of the Saturn Phase (October 13-19) includes self-learning, reading and homework in the Model Rocketry 2015 textbook which is downloadable in eServices. The subject matter is safety, altitude tracking, and motors. Optionally, courses to further enhance this written phase can be conducted at the squadron level or cadets can attend a group level event which will be done on a Saturday via Microsoft Teams. Cadets are invited to ask questions on a channel provided in the Group 2 Learning team.
The second week of the Saturn Phase (October 20-26) is focused on cadet testing. Cadets must earn a 70% on the online Saturn test. Once this milestone is reached, the cadet can proceed to the Hands-On Phase.
The third week of the Saturn Phase (October 27-November 2) is focused on support for cadets to complete the build of a skill level 2 rocket. Materials for the builds will be provided to cadets ahead of time and cadets can seek help and guidance in the Microsoft Teams channel set up for this challenge.
Rockets will NOT be launched as part of this phase but instead will be launched as part of a yet-to-be-planned launch date that cadets will be invited to participate in.
Launch Day – Tentative November 7 (or operations permitting thereafter)
Cadets will be invited to complete the launch requirements for the Titan and Saturn phases at a safe location and under the supervision of qualified instructors. Each cadet will have an opportunity to launch all of their models, measure altitudes, retrieve their rockets and prepare for the next launch. Other activities can be conducted during the event as appropriate.
