Getting Started

What do I need?

Rocket Kits:

Start with Skill Level 1, model kits.... seems logical enough? Start easy, don't get frustrated with something difficult.

Parents need to buy a kit for themselves also. This should be a Parent / Child project, everyone should be building.

It's better to show how, rather than to do it for your child.

Rocket Motors:

Your kit will have a list of recommended motors. Use the LOWEST powered motor suggested for your kit first.

[ “What the heck ... I ain't no wimp... just shove a big old motor up in there and....” ]

Don't be that guy!

Nothing is worse than losing your rocket on the first flight.

Note: More on motors in upcoming posts. ex: How they work, what do all the numbers mean, ect.

Launch Equipment: the basics.

1. Launch Pad assembly. Launch rod, Launch pad, and blast deflector.
   Additionally, a tarp for under the pad is nice to collect debris and make for easy cleanup after the launch activities are over.
2. Launch controller. Safely supplies electricity to the motor's igniter.

These things can be purchased. BUT, I am going to post how-to articles for building your own system very economically.

Also I'll cover a multiple launch pad setups.

Launch Field:

This is the most important and sometimes hardest thing to find. Your launch area must be large enough to safely launch and recover you rockets

Launch Site Dimension

Installed Total Impulse (N-sec)       Equivalent Engine Type        Minimum Site Dimensions (ft.)

0.00--1.25                                     MMX, 1/4A, 1/2A                                      50

1.26--2.50                                                   A                                                 100

2.51--5.00                                                   B                                                 200

5.01--10.00                                                 C                                                 400

10.01--20.00                                               D                                                 500

Note those are the NAR minimums and they are minimum. I try to go at least 1/3^rd bigger.

Always make certain you have permission to use any launch area for Rocketry, know your local ordinances and be certain rocketry is not prohibited.

If you live in an urban or overly developed area (like I do) you may consider launching with a local Rocketry club. Go to NAR.org an see the listing of clubs for launches in your area.

Next post: Build a Basic Rocket Kit.

Basic Questions:

                                                                                   photo by B. Katan.... I think?


What age to start Rocketry?  
All kids are different.  So your child's abilities and confidence level must be taken in to account.

Be Ready to Be Active!
Parents have to able to direct children at launch time.  Parents must be in control and active during this activity.  This is no place for distractions.  So no cell phones, no paperbacks, and for the kids, no portable video games. 


Rules of thumb: By age group. (based on what I do)
1st - 4th grades.  6 to 9 years of age.
 This will be more of a demonstration of rocketry.  This age group is a bit young to actively participate in rocketry.  Adults would have to guide each step in the process.  But it is a great opportunity to get out there and demonstrate Scientific concepts at work in the real world.

  5th - 6th grades.  10-11 years age.  
Children are old enough to be building and launching rockets, with adult supervision.  You need to gauge if your kids are ready for this activity.
Skills needed: 
-Following step by step instructions.  Plastic models ( cars,aircraft,boats, can be a great start)
-Knot tying (Sounds simple.  Amazing how many public school kids can not do this)
-Measuring, cutting to length.
-Gluing parts.  And the patience to let things set for a while until dry.  Then come back to the next step.  This is a super valuable, yet some times hard to teach concept.
- SAFETY .  The ability to pay attention and follow SAFE Procedures!  This is critical at launch time.

8th grade and up.  12 years plus.
- Now kids are ready to dig in.  Learn rocketry.  Move on to more advanced projects.  At this age many kids will learn and research Rocketry on their own, often surpassing the knowledge of adult mentors.  So it's up to you to try and keep up!
But it's o.k.  this is fun stuff!
Things to work up to:
- On board Electronics.
- Scientific payloads.
- Mid power;  then High power rocketry.  (if your area and funds are suitable)
- TARC  / SLI     TARC      NASA / SLI


.
                      Up next..... how to get started.

The HotRod Rocket Blog

First post.  Just getting started.
This will be the home for rocketry related information and education.  For Parents, home schoolers and anyone else with interest in all things Rocketry.

So what is this and what am I doing?   Glad you asked.
Science, math and technology skills need to be taught to our kids.  I did this in public schools.  Over the last ten years I've run rocketry and robotics programs in a variety school systems.  Trust me when I say, the public schools do not do the best job.

This is exactly the kind of thing where you the parent, can take charge and fire- up that spark for science and technology.   While your at it, have some fun time with the kids.

Why rocketry?  :  Why not.  It's fun.  There is the craftsmanship of building the rockets.  The science of how and why it all works. As a bonus you get out doors, in the field, launching and recovering your rockets.

Subjects: Math, Physics, Aerodynamics.  Also you can use rocketry multiple times as your child's education progresses.  Use them to teach basic scientific theory and the thought process.  Learn about the atmosphere and meteorology. (Hey whats better than getting out and actually seeing how the winds affect your rockets?  Better than a text book?)

As the kids get older chemistry, electronics, and computers can also become part of a rocket curriculum.

Why a Blog?  Background.
I am in the rocketry industry.  I am a small manufacturer of rocketry kits and accessories.
I  get requests for information from home school parents, church groups and youth clubs about rocketry.  Folks looking for information, much of it , the basics of Model Rocketry, and just how to start.
  I found myself copying emails over and over and sending them to different people but covering the same information.
The e-mails are just not in a good format for real learning so I decided to put together one place for folks to view things and I can help out as many as possible all at once.
  Hope fully that makes sense.


NOTES
Just a note.  I'm not here to sell things.  I will use my kits and things from other companies to demonstrate various concepts, but this is not an advertisement or endorsement of any kind.  Do your own research and purchase from those companies you want to do business with.


LINKS (let's get started)
I will link to various Rocketry resources to try to make it easy for you.

Here's the first one: NAR
National association of Rocketry.  Go there look around, gather information.
  Specifically the Safety Code:   http://www.nar.org/NARmrsc.html
 It's fairly simple, if you follow it, you will have a much better rocketry experience.

Upcoming Posts  

 - When to get stared?   When is Rocketry age appropriate?

 -What do I need to get started?
                    
 Launch Equipment  
                    - Building on a budget.   Build your own.
                     - Model Rocket Motors, how, what , and where to get them.
                     - Build a basic Rocket Kit.  Step by step.