Rocket-Powered kids dreaming big

The skies of Santa Cruz were filled with rockets on Wednesday, but don’t worry…it was all controlled and moderated by students. That was just one of the many test rockets launched today by team “Alternative Family Education.”

8 home-schooled students from Santa Cruz County recently beat out nearly a thousand other teams to compete in Team America Rocketry Challenge in Virginia this May. The two captains of the team are ecstatic to compete in the nationals after barely missing the cut last year.

“If our rocket had flown two feet lower on our final flight, we would have qualified so we’re super excited,” said team captain Benno Kolland.

“The actual reaction would be hard to replicate, it involved lots of running around screaming, but we’re very very happy,” added Captain Keith Veditz.

The goal of TARC is for students to design and build a model rocket which will loft two eggs to 850 feet and bring them back to the ground safely in 44 to 46 seconds. AFE is one of only three Northern California teams that qualified.