Downstairs Ducklings take inspiration from nature as they craft their rockets on their wooded lower playground, while Upstairs rocket pairs meet in small groups that are facilitated by teachers around the amphitheater and Back Field. Classroom teachers join up with the BEAM team to make sure that each group of rocketeers can get individual attention and support. In this short video you can observe how this work is truly collaborative, dynamic and like all of our favorite things carried out in nature's classroom. 

Collaboration, Communication and Mixed-Aged Learning: For weeks Upstairs children work in pairs to build their own custom model rocket from scratch. Each grouping of children is carefully chosen to include a more experienced rocket engineer and a child that is newer to the process. Together the partners are tasked with finding a balance of guiding and teaching, leading and following. Each child works to their capacity in different ways and the results are profound to observe. Every design element is chosen by the builders as they work through each step of the process until they have a functioning rocket.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math: Building rockets enables us to incorporate STEM and physical science into our curriculum. By building a rocket children can understand how design choices and fabrication can affect outcomes in the real-world. Measuring, comparing, tinkering and using a variety of tools help us complete a real engineering task. We can create space for children to practice crucial communication skills as they work to collaborate with a peer that is at a different point in their development. 

Creativity and Choice: When you think of what skills make a task exciting and engaging, the ability to make choices is high on the list. While building a rocket is cool in itself, being able to make your own design choices and use your creativity to affect the final product ensures that children see themselves as active participants in their learning. Each rocket is as unique as its engineers. The finished products are a beautiful representation of the diverse ways of thinking that live in our community and the freedom we give children to express who they truly are as people. 

Teachers Model Life-Long Learning: Pushing yourself to learn something new is challenging at any age. To ensure that the teachers all had a firm grasp of how to construct a model rocket we used some of our professional development time doing just that. Launch lugs were filleted, engine mounts were made and shock cords attached. Led by rocketeers evan and Renée we all enjoyed spending a day immersed in the process of building a rocket. It was a sweet sight to see the tables turn as the children cheered on the hard work of their grown-ups at rocket launch at Randolph earlier this week. 

The Ducklings explore space and rockets in a way that is slightly different and suits their developmental needs. The Downstairs integrates rockets into their curriculum by designing their own fabulously unique water bottle rockets while they introduce concepts related to space, flight, and rockets through play and engaging sensory activities. This year, in celebration of their year-long study of the creek each Duckling proudly hiked down and filled their own rocket with water from a familiar ecosystem.  The older students were a part of their rocket launch, cheering on their younger buddies with abandon.