For release 3/1/2009
Contact: Phil Houseal, Ignite Education, phil@fullhouseproductions.net
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Henrietta High School (940) 720-7930

The sky really is the limit for students enrolled in a new class at Henrietta High School. Starting this fall, science teacher Doug Underwood will teach the SystemsGo Aeroscience course that will have students designing, building, and launching rockets up to one mile high.

Underwood learned about the innovative course during the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, sponsored by the Science Teachers Association of Texas.

Right away he understood the potential the approach held for igniting student interest in the sciences.

"I really wanted our district to look at this option based on the new science requirements for high schools," he said. "We wanted to be proactive - finding something to motivate and interest the students. And I've always enjoyed rockets as a hobby."

Underwood brought the idea back to the district. High School Principal Gary Parrish did not hesitate to add his support.

"My impression is that this is exactly the type of class that kids will get excited about," Parrish said. "Sometimes we give students information but don't tell them why they need it. This class will show why we need it and also encourage them to get more interested in math and science."

Students at the Class 2A high school will be able to sign up for the SystemsGo Aeroscience course beginning in the fall. Underwood will attend a teacher training course in Fredericksburg, Texas, this summer to learn how to integrate the course into the high school offerings.

The SystemsGo approach to learning is project-based. The emphasis is on defining a problem and having the students discover the solutions. The rocketry course began in the 1990s in Fredericksburg High School teacher Brett Williams' classes. For the past three years, the nonprofit Ignite, Inc. has helped roll out the SystemsGo courses across the state, with 26 high schools currently participating.

Each spring students and teachers gather in Fredericksburg to launch the rockets they designed and built. This year's event is set for April 24 - 26, 2009. Last year NBC Nightly News covered the launches on its weekly segment "Making a Difference."

First-year students work on building a launch vehicle that can carry a one-pound payload one mile high.

Underwood has already discussed the class with potential students, and has several eager to take the new class.

"We want it to be open to any student," he said. "I have explained that we need a mix of interests - we need students good with their hands as well as those who are good with numbers. In this class the students will get a 'real world' feel about how to work with people of different abilities and interests."

Links to the NBC video and more information on SystemsGo is online at www.igniteeducation.org.

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Attached
Assted photos from Rockets 08 launches

Students enjoy a launch of one of their rockets at Rockets 08 at Fredericksburg.