Community Connections: HCC and Houston Rockets to launch 'Rockets Science' program

Nov 26, 2014

HCC has partnered with the Houston Rockets to implement a “Rockets Science” program at 10 Houston area middle schools during the second semester.

Up to 40 students from each campus will be identified to participate in the construction and eventual launch of rockets from an HCC location.

NASA is providing the teaching materials and Space Center Houston is involved in hosting an event for participants.

In addition to the 40 students, any student of any age may take advantage of the curriculum that will be in the Rockets-hosted portal that will have the instructional information for anyone who may want to build a rocket at home.

This will be a four-week course to begin in February 2015 and will include a tour of Space Center Houston and launch day at HCC.

Final details are being worked out, but this is a great opportunity for middle school students within our service area and beyond.

The Houston Rockets are hopeful this partnership is something that can be shared as a best practice within the NBA.

In addition, the Houston Rockets are creating six in-game STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related videos to be displayed during home games, using players, coaches and office staff to give game attendees an opportunity to learn how much fun a career in STEM can be.

Videos will include the science behind a human jump – both vertical and broad jump, muscles responsible, techniques, an analysis of hang time, and a second one that will calculate the amount of time a ball is in the shooter’s hand, mapping the angles of the catch and shoot, and an in-depth look at the math, geometry and timing behind the shot. Other topics will include statistics of basketball, the nutrition involved to support an NBA player and others.