Kids launching rockets at YPG
Engineers at the Yuma Proving Ground ( YPG ) are conducting STEM-based experiments with students teaching them real-world science events like launching rockets.
A group of nearly 70 students participated in a rocket lab Wednesday morning at YPG , learning how Newton’s laws of motion relate to the launching of a space shuttle.
This is part of a free two-week STEM program sponsored by the Army Educational Outreach Program.
YPG Commander Col. Ross Poppenberger said, ” [Students] can come out here and see some of the infant stages of some of the things they’re going to be working on in the next 10 years, which is when these guys are going to be coming out of college. We’re kind of priming the pump right now to get these guys interested and involved and understand a little bit about what we’re doing here to lead the nation well into the future. ”
Students expressed the importance of math, coding, and engineering for their future when acquiring a good job and career.
The rocket lab helped students apply concepts from science, technology, engineering, and math, better known as STEM, to construct and launch their own rockets. The labs are similar to the ones used by the Department of Defense, just on a much smaller scale.
Aside from launching rockets, the kids learn coding, bacteria analysis, and several other lab experiments that in some form or another can tie back to actual testings performed at YPG .
