FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 Contact: Marisa Bilicic

August 13, 2004                                                                                            814-676-6591, ext. 1215

Kids In College Participants Experience Set a World Record 

OIL CITY, PA – Students in Clarion University–Venango Campus’ Kids In College program set a world record on Saturday, August 7 when they launched an eight-foot, high-powered rocket to an altitude of 1350 feet. The rocketry class of six boys, ranging in age from six to nine years old, was the youngest group of individuals to accomplish such a feat. The world record recognizes the group for building the largest high-powered model rocket constructed by this age group that launched successfully. 

            “This is one of the greatest groups of kids I’ve ever worked with,” said Sam Gordon, a high-powered rocketry enthusiast and instructor of the class. “They threw themselves into this project 100 percent.” Gordon explained that a “high-power” rocket is defined by the size of its motor, which needs to be H or above, and the amount of fuel it is able to carry. The rocket launched by the Venango Campus class utilized an “I” motor.

Team members working on the rocket included Caleb Knapp, Tyler Hyter, Gregory Garbacz, Trobie Barnitz, Seth Harrelson and Christopher Yochum. The rocketry class is designed to teach students about the principles of flight. In addition to the big rocket, the boys made individual rockets that were launched at Venango Campus last week. The record-setting launch occurred at the Clintonville Rocket Launch Facility and will be featured in the national magazine High Powered Rocketry.

“It was an exciting moment when we learned that the children broke a world record. The class was designed to be educational and fun, we had no idea that breaking a record was within reach,” said Hope Lineman, coordinator of Venango Campus’ Kids In College program. “This was a great bonus for the students who had worked extremely hard on all their rockets to ensure successful launches.”

Rocketry was just one of the many technology classes offered through the annual Kids In College program that was held July 19 – August 9 this year. The summer program is open to young people in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Kids In College includes Discovery, Travel and Technology Camps. 

Clarion University–Venango Campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community. Special programs offered at the campus include Kids in College, Jump Start and SeniorLink.

###