Houston Rockets and HCC announce middle school STEM program with NASA and Space Center Houston

Jan 16, 2015


Rockets centers Dwight Howard and Donatas Motiejunas joined Rockets Sr. VP of Corporate Development, John Croley and Houston Community College Chancellor Dr. Cesar Maldonado in announcing the launch of an exciting new STEM program that teaches students the fundamentals of rocketry. Rockets Science is being offered to 400 students at 10 Greater Houston Area schools. The customized curriculum, developed to align with Texas Assessment of Knowledge Standards (TEKS), was created by STEM education experts at Space Center Houston and NASA.

“The Rockets are proud to partner with Houston Community College in offering a unique educational opportunity for students,” says Rockets CEO Tad Brown. “This extended partnership, which includes NASA and Space Center Houston will challenge students to be creative, innovative learners and hopefully will inspire them to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, astronauts and leaders in STEM based careers.”

Rockets Science includes a series of live interactive webinars led by NASA and Space Center Houston scientists, as well as HCC leading science students.

Houston Rockets Science

“The HCC Rockets Science program with the Houston Rockets allows us to engage NASA and Space Center Houston in teaching middle school students the principals of rocketry, while incorporating the principals of a STEM education,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor. “By creating fun and innovative ways to engage students in hands-on learning, we believe the result will be having more students consider a career in science, technology, engineering and math.”

A highlight of the program is a field trip to Space Center Houston where students interact with experts in the field and participate in real world science activities and workshops. Rockets Science culminates with “Rockets Launch Day” where students put into practice concepts learned during the program by building and launching their own rocket. To assist with ongoing STEM efforts, the HCC Foundation will provide $1,000 scholarships to all 10 Rockets Science schools.

Also in attendance at today’s event was Mike Kincaid, NASA Deputy Director of External Relations, Space Center Houston, as well as students and teachers from partner schools.

Following the announcement, students joined Howard and Motiejunas in checking out the on-site space exhibit, which featured models of actual rockets that have launched into space, an astronaut suit and gloves, moon rocks and food, and a full array of items highlighting NASA’s vast history in space exploration.

The Rockets Science Program will run from January 21 – February 24. Key program dates are listed below.

Rockets Science Webinars and Key Program Dates

Live Webinars – Hosted by Space Center Houston, NASA and HCC

• January 21: Webinar 1-Rocketry 101

• February 4: Webinar 2-Rocket Fuels

• February 11: Webinar 3-Engines

• February 18: Webinar 4 Rocket Construction

 Webinars will be accessible online for the duration of the program.

 Key Program Dates/ Events

• January 27, 9 a.m. to Noon - Space Center Houston Field Trip/Workshop

• March 5, 9 a.m. to Noon - Rockets Launch Day – HCC Northeast Campus

Houston Rockets Science


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