More Options MENU Quick Links Math 'Liftoff' at Erwin High Buncombe County Schools » Departments » Communications » News & Stories » Top Stories » Math 'Liftoff' at Erwin High Math 'Liftoff' at Erwin High Posted on 11/12/2021 By Tim Reaves BCS Communications Department Learning went sky-high Friday as Clyde A. Erwin High School math students launched rockets powered by water and grant funding from the Buncombe County Schools Foundation. Ms. Karen Moyd’s Math II students designed and built their rockets using two-liter soda bottles, foam boards for fins and cones, and packing peanuts for ballast. Ms. Moyd bought the building supplies, launchers, pump, and tubing with a Fall Grant from the Foundation. The project is a fun, creative, hands-on way to bring curiosity and fundamental math concepts together. “These rockets incorporate functions, trigonometry, geometry, and project-based learning,” she said. “As math teachers, we really want to teach students how to solve problems, not just math problems but problems out there in the world. So as the students approach each stage, they figure it out.” Here’s how the water rockets work: Students place their rockets on special launch pads after partially filling them with water. They pressurize the rockets by pumping air into them. Once the rockets reach the appropriate pressure, they’re released from holding clamps. They rapidly depressurize, shooting water out of the bottle opening and creating thrust. They can reach heights of 100 meters (about 328 feet) if shot directly upward. On Friday, the students launched their rockets and held a friendly competition to see whose rocket scored the most airtime, height, and horizontal distance. “I thought it was a great experience, the way everyone was able to take part,” said sophomore Manarah Brown. “Being able to actually build the rockets and then launch them, that was awesome.” “It was really cool,” said freshman Charley Griffin. “It feels more real than just math in a book.” Photo Gallery Photo Gallery BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THEIR TOMORROW 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806 Phone 828.255.5921 | Fax 828.255.5923 DISTRICT District Home School Calendars Enrollment Careers Board of Education INITIATIVES Digital Learning Global Education Graduation Initiative STEM Education About BCS CONNECT Parent Portals Student Portal Get Notifications Safety Reporting PS-ES Say Something IS-HS Buncombe County Schools is in the process of reviewing its website to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2021 Intrado Corporation. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement