Kids have a blast at Science Camp

By: REBECCA JAMESCOURIE - For The Californian | Friday, July 23, 2004 10:56 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA ---- Eager faces turned upward and youngsters gave a loud cheer as miniature rockets swooshed into the air Friday, cutting the morning sky with a trail of smoke before spiraling down and landing on the damp grass.

More than 25 young "scientists" made rockets and launched them into the air at Paloma Del Sol Park. The launching came after a week's worth of preparation, explanation and discovery during Summer Science Day Camp, presented by Huntington Beach-based Science Adventures.

Susan Diaz, an instructor at the camp, said the rockets were a great hands-on, make-it-and-take-it project.

"They learned about each part of the rocket and how it works," Diaz said.

Park tables pulled double duty and looked like miniature launch sites as youngsters gathered around and stood their finished rockets on end. After securing her nose cone on the tip of her foot-long rocket, Jackie Crowther, 6, added some finishing touches.

"I liked decorating it," she said, placing the cardboard rocket in its stand. "And I can't wait to launch it because some people say when it crashes, it'll be like fireworks."

Leading them in the chorus of Queen's "We Will Rock You," Diaz got the children's attention before Region Manager Virlu Guapo explained the safety procedures. With the rules thoroughly understood, eight youngsters at a time grabbed their rockets and headed for the launch site on the grassy field.

Sticking out his tongue in concentration, Ryan McConnell, 7, secured wires from a battery to wires at the base of his rocket and returned to his piece of carpet on the grass to wait for the others to complete their task. With a countdown of five, the young "rocketeers" put a "key" into the battery and pushed a button, sending the rockets 100 feet into the air.

"It's cool," he said after his rocket landed. "Mine went the second-highest."

His mother, Michelle, watched as he picked up his rocket and ran back, the rocket's parachute buffeting in the wind.

"He's really enjoyed this week and has been looking forward to the launch," she said.

Diana Doulames said this was the first year her two sons, Alexander, 9, and Andrew, 6, attended science camp and couldn't stop talking about the fun they have had.

"When I pick them up from camp, they spend the first 20 minutes telling me about everything they did and learned," she said. "They're having a blast."

Building and launching a rocket is one of four classes provided by Science Adventures during a six-week period at the Temecula Community Center. Diaz has been an instructor for 10 of the 15 years the company has been in business and also instructs after-school science classes for the Temecula Valley Unified School District.

"It's a great way to get kids involved with science and is exciting to see kids come back year after year," she said. "I get the fulfillment of knowing that I sparked a love for science.

"When kids learn at camp, it sticks with them and they really get it."

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