Rockets Serve as Launchpad for STEM Experiences at Mosley

From the textbook, to construction, to the skies, eighth graders at Mosley Middle School delved deeper into their learning during their recent project.

Closing out their unit on propulsion and energy transfer, Mosley science teachers Dr. MJ Leyden and Natalie Kaiser wanted to provide students with a way to apply their knowledge. Enter the rocket project.

After carefully constructing rockets, groups then took them to the skies to see how they fared. As each carefully built rocket launched, students closely monitored its flight, noting how smoothly it flew, how far it traveled, and whether it remained intact throughout the journey.

For Leyden, the rocket project allows students’ learning and understanding of science to come to life.

“The rocket project gives them that sense of, ‘Wow, so this is how everything works! This is not just a teacher standing up here using a book or me taking notes. I can actually build this item and put an engine in it, let it launch, and it goes in the sky. It can go anywhere – it can explode, it can land, it can just disappear. Who knows?’”

The sense of wonder Leyden described is what both teachers try to accomplish with their science instruction. For Kaiser, having those experiences as a young student herself led her to a career in science. 

“I've always loved science. So I just really enjoy being able to share that with them,” she said. “It's important to understand how the world is actually working, and I love being able to do it through STEM activities where the kids are working together and learning about all these different aspects of STEM.”

Instruction focused on these types of experiences inspired eighth grader Damian Castillejo to build his own rocket at home. On launch day, Castillejo proudly placed his rocket on the launchpad before it ripped through the sky, staying intact through its entire flight. 

“I was just very nervous about it,” Castillejo said about launching his rocket. “After it launched I felt great. It's an accomplishment. I like doing hands-on activities like this because it's something I made, something I can claim.”

Looking to the future, Castillejo sees himself in a STEM-related career.

“I'd like to have a nice working job where I do something not for the money, but because I love it,” he said about pursuing science in the future. “Science can take a turn from something low to something very crazy happening, so it's really interesting to me. I like being able to examine and do everything on my own.”

For now, Castillejo continues to look for opportunities to build a strong foundation and be a leader to his classmates, where he is often found helping students with their projects.

“The ultimate goal of a teacher is when the light bulb turns on for a student,” Leyden said about Castillejo. “You have to utilize that.That means stepping back as a teacher and allowing students like Damian to help other students.”

“It makes me feel like a role model,” Castillejo said about stepping up in the classroom. “I just want to show others that you could do anything you want to do. It just feels great.”

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About Geneva Epps Mosley Middle School
Geneva Epps Mosley Middle School serves approximately 900 students from sixth through eighth grade. Guided by the idea that “All Means All,” Mosley students are held to high expectations and develop a belief in themselves and their future. Learn more about Geneva Epps Mosley Middle School.