Press Release

100 Teams of Student ‘Rocketeers’ Head to Washington, D.C. Area

By SpaceRef Editor
May 15, 2009
Filed under ,
100 Teams of Student ‘Rocketeers’ Head to Washington, D.C. Area
100 Teams of Student 'Rocketeers' Head to Washington, D.C. Area

100 Teams of Student ‘Rocketeers’ Head to Washington, D.C. Area

For World’s Largest Rocket Competition Finals at Great Meadow in Va. May 16

Aerospace Industries Association and National Association of Rocketry Spark Students’ Interest in Becoming Rocket Scientists With Competition that Attracts 7,000 Students Nationally.

WHAT: Seventh Annual National Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) final fly-off and presentation of more than $60,000 in scholarships and other prizes, as well as career opportunities. The winning team will then compete for international glory and launch against the champions of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge on the same day.

WHO: 100 teams of middle and high school students, including 13 local teams from DC, Md. and Va., Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, corporate sponsors and rocket enthusiasts.

WHEN: Saturday, May 16

8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1st Round Team Launches (100 teams)

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Interactive Exhibit/University Display Area Open

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 2nd Round Team Launches (Top 18 teams)

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. NAR High-Powered Rocket Demonstration

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Team Award Ceremony

6:00 p.m International Fly-Off with UK Champion

WHERE: Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia

From Washington and Suburbs: Travel on I-66 to The Plains, Exit #31, turn left (south) on Old Tavern Rd. (Rt. 245), Great Meadow one mile on left.

WHY: With nearly 60 percent of aerospace workers over 50, the industry is facing a looming workforce crisis. Not enough students are pursuing engineering degrees to replace the boomers at or near retirement. The Team America Rocketry Challenge, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry, encourages students to excel in math and science, which are essential skills for future careers in the aerospace industry.

CONTACTS:
Allie Gebhardt agebhardt@vepublicrelations.com 301-581-7293
Jennifer Strohm jstrohm@vepublicrelations.com 301-581-7294

ABOUT TARC: Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and The National Association of Rocketry, the Team America Rocketry Challenge (www.rocketcontest.org) engaged about 7,000 middle and high school students on 653 teams from 45 states and the District of Columbia as part of the qualifying rounds of competition. The top 100 qualifying teams will meet for a final fly-off and a chance to win more than $60,000 in scholarships and other prizes on May 16. The contest presents teams with a dual challenge. Teams must launch their rocket as close as possible to an altitude of 750 feet with a flight time of 45 seconds. The raw-egg payload must return to the ground unbroken and be transported horizontally to mimic the position of an astronaut.

Teams had until April 6 to submit qualifying scores, which were achieved by launching the rocket in their home region under the supervision of a judge from the National Association of Rocketry. The competition is also sponsored by NASA, the Defense Department, the American Association of Physics Teachers and 34 AIA member companies. For more information visit www.rocketcontest.org.

SpaceRef staff editor.