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Liftoff! LCSD Holds Third Annual Rocket Challenge
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
One by one, rocket teams from all nine Liverpool Central School District elementary schools 
excitedly watched their rockets take off like a shot, then slowly head back to Earth with parachutes deployed. All but one landed softly in the fields behind Willow Field Elementary.
On June 9, LCSD fifth-graders gathered at WFE for the third annual LCSD Rocket Challenge. Each team was asked to build their own rocket with room for an Eggstronaut, and teams used a variety of materials to protect the egg when it landed. Representatives from the Syracuse Rocket Club joined the students and launched the rockets from the club’s rail launcher.
Two judges – LCSD Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Steven Garraffo and Executive Director for K-8 Education Richard Chapman – had the task of evaluating the rockets on three factors – design, peak altitude and Eggstronaut survival. Schools were awarded points for each, and the winning school - WFE - will play host to the rocket challenge trophy until next year’s event.
The goal of the LCSD Rocket Challenge was to spark an interest in rocket science for LCSD fifth-grade students.