May Sky

The science classes made water rockets out of 2-liter bottles and we fired them out on the baseball diamond yesterday and today.  Only three out of about 50 rockets really had nice flights, but the kids enjoy watching the unbalanced ones just as much since they spin around unpredictably, spraying water and sending kids running for cover for a few seconds.  It’s amazing…I’ve never worked in a laboratory or a garage or with heavy equipment, but I am really good about protecting myself; I have my Dad to thank for that.  He was always telling me not to wear necklaces around machinery (what machinery?) and to wear my goggles and to double-check the power cord.  Trying to impart those lessons on overeager 8th graders is a tough proposition, though.  I spent equal parts of the class periods warning, shouting, reminding and cringing as students stood right next to “loaded” rockets and tried to catch falling rockets in the air.  It’s like, I know it’s made from cardboard but it still has a pointy nose!

And, of course, the one accident we had was a girl who was totally following the rules.  Standing far away from the launch zone but the rocket shot up in the air, took a turn and zoomed right for her, hitting her IN THE FACE.  She didn’t come to school today, but her friends say she’s okay but not looking too good; she’s got a badly bruised lip.  I feel really bad.  I’m thinking of giving her a coupon for a free Southern Chicken Sandwich from McDonald’s.