AFOSR Encourages Youth to Soar at Rocketry Challenge

  • Published
  • By LeAndrea White
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
ARLINGTON, Va. --  For the fifth year, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research encouraged hundreds of young, aspiring scientists at the Eighth Annual Team America Rocketry Challenge, the world's largest model rocket competition, held in The Plains, Va.

TARC is a model rocket competition for high school and middle school students nationwide. The goal of the challenge is for students to design and build a model rocket to carry an egg to exactly 825 feet. The egg must stay aloft for between 40 and 45 seconds and safely return to Earth uncracked. A grand prize of more than $60,000 in cash and savings bonds is shared by the top 10 winning teams.

Not only does the event serve as a rocketry competition, but it serves as a conduit to learn more about AFOSR and other DoD sponsored science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational opportunities for high school and college bound students.

"It is incredible to discover so many students are just as enthusiastic about science and technology as I am," said Dr. Joan Fuller, AFOSR director of Aerospace, Chemical & Material Sciences directorate. "We want to fuel and encourage that excitement by providing opportunities to help them stay on this trajectory."

Fuller believes it is important AFOSR is a part of science competitions such as TARC and continues to reach out to the new generation of scientists and engineers.

As part of TARC, secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley congratulated the winning team from Penn Manor High School of Millersville, Penn. Donley was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of parents and students.

By supporting events such as TARC, AFOSR helps strengthen and diversify our nation's future workforce and prepare future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The event was sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry. It is co-sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Defense Department, Civil Air Patrol, and 39 AIA member companies.