Three rockets line up on the rails readying for launch at Rockets, the annual event that allows high school STEM students to design, build, and launch their rockets in the SystemsGo program.
For Release: Mar 1, 2021
Contact: Tara Kitchens, 830-997-3567, info@systemsgo.org
“All systems are go” once again as SystemsGo resumes the countdown for Rockets 2021 at three launch sites across Texas.
After canceling the 2020 launches due to the Covid-19 impact on schools, the Fredericksburg-based nonprofit STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program has scheduled the following launch dates:
April 22, 23, 2021
North Texas/Jack County
April 29, 30, May 1, 2021
Central Texas/Stonewall
May 6, 7, 8, 2021
Southeast Texas/Smith Point
Students from 42 high schools will launch up to 150 rockets.
Rockets 2021 is the culminating event for the SystemsGo program, in which high school students design, build, and launch rockets designed to loft a one-pound payload one mile high, or exceed the speed of sound.
COVID mitigation procedures will be in place and strictly enforced at all sites, according to organizers. Safety procedures include smaller working teams for participating students, socially distant workstations, no group food concessions, controlled flow in and out of the sites, temperature checks, frequent sanitizing handwashing procedures, and face coverings.
County Judges in Jack, Gillespie, and Chambers counties approved SystemsGo’s request to host an outdoor event involving more than 10 people. In order to reduce the number of people on each launch site, and to better comply with CDC guidelines and local county policies, the public will not be allowed access to the preparation or launch sites as in previous years. There are no exceptions, including no admittance for family members or non-participating classmates.
Plans are in place to livestream the event, weather and internet access permitting. Students and teachers are encouraged to use their personal video devices to record the experience for sharing with family and schoolmates.
Information and updates on the launches will be posted online at www.systemsgo.org, as well as on social media:
Facebook: SystemsGoNews
Twitter: SystemsGoNews
Email: info@systemsgo.org
Phone: 830-997-3567
The SystemsGo program started in Fredericksburg High School in 1996 under the direction of teacher Brett Williams. The innovative STEM curriculum uses the Socratic teaching method and inquisitive learning based on a problem and project-based model to invoke and stimulate skills in design, development, testing, analysis, and innovation.