Founded 1996 Location Fredricksburg, Texas | Type 501(c)(3 Area served Texas | |
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Founder J. Carson Dickie, Brett Williams Focus "To incorporate a problem-solving education philosophy into schools through project-based curriculum and teacher training." | ||
IGNITE is a program designed to promote the study of engineering and the development of work force skills. It encourages students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mechanics.
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SystemsGo is the program and curriculum provided by IGNITE to be used in classrooms across Texas. It is based in Fredericksburg, Texas. It allows students to learn more about the past, present, and future of rocket technology, as well as using information learned from independent study to complete hands-on projects.
Annual Rocket Meet
Every year for 3 days, usually in April, teams from high schools all over the US gather in Fredericksburg, Texas to launch their semester project rockets. The IGNITE program offers high school students three different levels of projects, ranging from a mid-sized rocket traveling to a one mile apogee to rockets weighing several hundred pounds with the potential to reach near-space altitudes.
The increasingly popular meets attract many residents of the area, including children. Events other than watching the main rockets launch include crafts, science projects, food vendors, and visiting with representatives from various universities who set up a booth at the event. All activities are free. There is, however, a small charge for children wishing to purchase miniature rocket kits, which are actually launched in a separate area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also attends the meeting and assembles an outpost to help monitor the weather in order to ensure safe conditions for flight.
Program Levels
Tsiolkovsky Level : The first stage of the IGNITE Program, named after the Soviet rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, requires students to propel a research package to an altitude of 5,280 feet (one mile) and to recover it after launch. This project is completed over the Spring semester with launches held in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Oberth Level : The intermediate stage, named after the German physicist Hermann Oberth, gives students the goal of designing and launching a rocket able to reach transonic velocity while maintaining a maximum altitude of less than 13,000 feet. This project is completed over the Spring semester with launches held in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Goodard Level : The most advanced level of the IGNITE Program, named after the American engineer and rocket scientist Robert H. Goddard, challenges students to create a rocket from scratch that can reach an altitude of 100,000 feet, which is considered to fall within the near space region of Earth’s atmosphere. Rockets for this level are often several hundred pounds and can reach velocities of Mach 3 or even Mach 4. Launches for this level are hosted by the US Air Force at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Schools which offer the Goddard Level of the IGNITE Program are as follows:
Recognition
The IGNITE program has been praised by important figures such as Ex-President George W. Bush, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, along with various other congressman and senators.