06.17.02

Cantwell Urges Washington Students to Take Part in Rocketry Challenge

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is encouraging Washington state high school students to participate in the "Team America Rocketry Challenge," which runs through April 2003.

To participate, students must design, build and fly a multi-stage model rocket weighing less than 3.3 pounds at liftoff. The rockets will carry two eggs and an electronic altimeter as close to an altitude of 1500 feet as possible. A fly-off competition for the top 100 teams will be held in Northern Virginia in April 2003.

"The Rocketry Challenge is a great chance for high school students to get involved in science and engineering," Cantwell said. "This competition is a fun and educational way to explore future career opportunities in a science-related field."

Five winning teams will be chosen from the nationwide contest. The winning teams will share a total prize of approximately $50,000 in savings bonds, and their supervising teachers' departments will share $9,000.

The contest celebrates the 100th anniversary of powered flight in 1903; it is a not-for-profit event sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry.

More information about the Challenge is posted on the AIA Web site at www.rocketcontest.org.