On March 17, the sophomore honors chemistry class took learning to new heights, literally. The boys designed and launched their own bottle rockets. The engineers were working in teams of 2, having 3 days of workshop to build the rocket. The students were limited to simple materials such as 2-liter bottles, cardboard, string, trash bags, and tape. Each group researched how much water should be used for the most optimal performance. The results were quite impressive, with some rockets going up 2-3 hundred feet into the air. The students not only built the rockets, but also built a fully functioning parachute system, which would allow them to salvage the rocket. This experiment is directly connected to our current unit on gases, states of matter, and chemical reactions. This allowed students to experience firsthand what they have been learning in class come to life. Students taking part in these exciting learning experiences at Valley Torah allow them to develop their social skills and a grasp deeper understanding of the scientific method.