Watchung School Launches 500 Rockets

Watchung Elementary School, Montclair’s science and technology magnet, held its first-ever Science Summit on Friday at which students learned that science is fun through interactive experiments applying principles of Newton’s three laws of gravity and motion.

Through teacher-led experiments students participated in hands-on lessons illustrating forces in motion. Experiments included: Bike Pump Rocket Launch, Helmet Crash—Melon Test, Housed Egg Drop, CD-Balloon Hover Craft. Students floated hover crafts made out of a CD, water bottle top and balloon across desk surfaces. They learned the importance of helmet safety as they watched melons secured in bike helmets drop from tall heights, and were asked to sign a helmet safety pledge.

“The idea to bring an interactive science day at school came after my son attended a mad science party and was thrilled he got to touch the experiments,” said Stephanie Stroller, Watchung PTA president. “I spoke with [Principal Peter] Turnamian, and he was incredibly supportive and helped launch the plan.”

The event culminated in a rocket launch on the school field with the held of 10 bicycle pump air pressure launchers. Students excitedly launched their hand-made rockets, watching them shoot hundreds of feet in the air.

“It is important for children to develop an interest in science at an early age, and using hands-on experiments encourages students to be curious and critical thinkers,” Turnamian said. “Our teachers, staff and PTA did an incredible job engaging students and teaching them scientific concepts through fun, exciting experiments.”

Science majors from Montclair State University and engineers from OXO, a Manhattan-based company of innovative consumer products, assisted on the field with the rocket launch. Montclair Bikery generously donated bike pumps for the rocket launchers.