Wow! The rocket project is finally over! Looking back on this whole semester, it didn't dawn on me just how long we were building up for the final launch day. Everything we did, from building the little balsa rockets (my hair was significantly shorter back then) to now, seems like it took place over such a long stretch of time. Oh balsa rockets, what a simple time. Looking at our final rockets, it's like we stepped into the big leagues, especially Momo and I, with our rocket which held two FULL motors with real rocket fuel. Crazy. No more little motors filled with some sugar fuel. We were using big motors with black powder. Seems extreme, but super fun.
I would say building the motors were definitely my favorite part. I had done most of the other things already last year. If you want to check out any of those videos, click on the physics tab under "Freshman". Anyways/ the motors were the only new thing that I genuinely enjoyed doing. I liked the knowledge I gained from doing that, like the comparison between the two fuels, and all the math. It was awesome seeing how you could take data from the launch, and figure out how high the motor would shoot up, and the burn time, and the estimated grams to build your rocket at. It was super interesting.
I also learned a lot about myself in this project as well. It was cool to see how much I enjoyed working with the people around me to get the work done. Although you were typically working with 1-2 people in this project, you were constantly reaching out to others to ask clarifying questions and such. I learned that the people in my class were very willing to help when you were confused about something, or wanted their advice. It was nice seeing them outside of the typical setting in which we are forced to collaborate with each other. It's much nicer when it's organic, and when we have the choice to do so. I also learned I am more on the creative side than I thought. Either that or my partner just wasn't.
If I could do this project again, I would want to build a more simple rocket. Although the rocket I made was super cool, I wanted to see one that worked.
All in all, I kinda ending up liking it. Well, certain parts. It was really annoying how we couldn't choose to do it or not. Rockets has never been something that has interested me, yet I was forced to do it. It would be better to have a choice whether or not to do it.
I would say building the motors were definitely my favorite part. I had done most of the other things already last year. If you want to check out any of those videos, click on the physics tab under "Freshman". Anyways/ the motors were the only new thing that I genuinely enjoyed doing. I liked the knowledge I gained from doing that, like the comparison between the two fuels, and all the math. It was awesome seeing how you could take data from the launch, and figure out how high the motor would shoot up, and the burn time, and the estimated grams to build your rocket at. It was super interesting.
I also learned a lot about myself in this project as well. It was cool to see how much I enjoyed working with the people around me to get the work done. Although you were typically working with 1-2 people in this project, you were constantly reaching out to others to ask clarifying questions and such. I learned that the people in my class were very willing to help when you were confused about something, or wanted their advice. It was nice seeing them outside of the typical setting in which we are forced to collaborate with each other. It's much nicer when it's organic, and when we have the choice to do so. I also learned I am more on the creative side than I thought. Either that or my partner just wasn't.
If I could do this project again, I would want to build a more simple rocket. Although the rocket I made was super cool, I wanted to see one that worked.
All in all, I kinda ending up liking it. Well, certain parts. It was really annoying how we couldn't choose to do it or not. Rockets has never been something that has interested me, yet I was forced to do it. It would be better to have a choice whether or not to do it.