Applied technology blasts off at Herrick
Channel: dg58 youtube
Date: 2014-11-04

A group of eighth graders circled around applied technology teacher Mr. Collin Konny, with a look of curiosity mixed with some skepticism. Could Mr. Konny really launch a paper rocket using a bike pump and a sprinkler valve? The short answer: yes.

"Boom!" went the rocket, as it launched more than four stories into the air. "Whoa!!!!" yelled the students, as several chased after the rocket.

 Mr. Konny teaches science, social studies and applied technology at Herrick Middle School. District 58's applied technology classes give students the unique opportunity to interactively learn science, technology, engineering and math skills, also called STEM skills. The class gives students hands-on assignments, hoping to inspire a lifelong interest in a STEM field.
 
"I like to build things because I love technology," said student Anaya Rowe.

 This October, Mr. Konny's class applied lessons in drag, gravity and thrust to build their own paper rockets.

 On a drizzly afternoon, the group returned outside to test their paper rockets.  The rockets came in all colors, shapes and sizes. One particularly creative rocket even resembled a bat! Some rockets traveled far and others flew high. And, the bat rocket was fun to watch.

 No matter how far their rockets flew, the experiment helped everyone in Mr. Konny's class learn a little bit more about applied technology and even got many students interested in learning more.

 "I think I'd like to take a class like this in high school," said student Mia Marconi.

 "Yeah, that'd be fun," student Lily Nowka agreed.