Minster Rocket Club Embarks Upon New Challenges - Changes Name to Minster STEM Club!
Minster Rocket Club formed in 2009 to encourage Minster Local School students in grades seven through twelve to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Since that time, more than 200 members have expanded their STEM skills participating in the club.
Over the past 10 years, 20 teams have qualified to participate at the world’s largest rocket contest; Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). Eighty Five percent of those teams finished in the top 40. This past year a 4th place finish at TARC earned a team $10,000.
In 2013 a 10th place finish at TARC earned a coveted invitation to participate in the NASA Student Launch competition, a research-based, competitive, exploration rocketry challenge for high school, college, and university teams across the nation. Minster Rocket Club finished first among high school teams and bested several university teams. Notre Dame, MIT, and Louisville to name a few.
Engineering and problem-solving have always been at the center of Minster Rocket Club and many members have gone on to pursue an education in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Construction and Aerospace engineering.
A recent article on the forecast of STEM related jobs stated that between 2018 and 2028, the number of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent, compared to 9 percent for non-STEM jobs - with positions in computing, engineering, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence leading the way.
Ted Oldiges, club advisor states, “The reason for the name change is to reflect the expanding STEM disciplines the club is taking on. Robotics, UAS (drone) and AI (artificial intelligence) competitions have developed that will directly correspond to the future needs of STEM related jobs.”
UAS4STEM - designed to encourage students to explore the engineering and operation of a UAS (drone). Teams work together to complete the UAS ground school and build a multi-rotor drone to use in a rescue scenario.
FIRST Tech Challenge - designed to encourage students to explore the engineering and operation of robotics. FIRST Tech teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head encounter in an alliance format.
STEM has evolved over the past decade and so must the Minster Rocket Club. For this reason, Oldiges changed the name to Minster STEM Club, a decision destined to reflect the advanced opportunities afforded to its members and more challenging competitions that will require further problem-solving and STEM skills.
Currently, thirty-two club members are busy preparing for competitions. Six rocket teams have designed, built and test-flown their rockets, striving to achieve their desired altitude of 856 feet in a duration of 43 seconds.
The drone team is actively engaged in ground school, a required course all members must pass before the team may build and program their drone. Two robotics teams will be forming this summer.
To help get the robotics program off the ground the Minster Journeyman Club made a generous donation. Additional sponsors include Minster Service Club, Minster Civic Association, Knights of Columbus, Craig Monnin, and Cory Schultz. It is an exciting time for Minster STEM Club. Find out what is happening by visiting minsterstemclub.com or following them on Facebook or Twitter @minsterstem. Minster STEM Club is a 501(c)(3) organization and always looking for sponsors.
I can't wait to see what the future will bring! Ted Oldiges Director, Minster STEM Club