The Lake County Rocket Club, a group of young scientists led by chief rocketeer, Bill Bordisso, are currently busy constructing launch pads for their air rockets. Ryan Taylor and his grandfather James Herman work on their air rocket. Current club members are Samara Strickler, Ryan Taylor, Danny Hunt, Eliot Mayo, John Naughton. These students have learned how the air rocket works: The rocket sits on a black cylinder into which air is pumped. A membrane is placed between the cylinder and the rocket. The membrane can be of various thicknesses. A thin membrane will burst much sooner, and will have less thrust, so the rocket will not fly as high. A thicker membrane allows for much more air to be pumped into the cylinder, causing greater air pressure, so that when the membrane bursts, the rocket will soar much higher. They are all eagerly awaiting launch day to see and record their rocket’s heights. The Lake County Rocket Club is a free activity open to any 4th to 8th grader county-wide. The program is offered by the Lake County Office of Education. Call Bill Bordisso at 279-0923 for more information or to join. The club meets weekly at the Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
