Aeronautics Club president Michael Tenner (left) and member Max van Wagtendonk (right), seniors, work together on designing a multistage rocket for the American Rocketry Challenge in Room 114 on Sept. 28. Tenner has been interested in aerospace engineering since elementary school, which fueled his desire to start the club. “Me and some other classmates from the astronomy class last year thought (it’d) be fun to take some of the stuff we did (in the astronomy class) and turn (it) into a club where we can expand upon that and do more things,” Tenner said. “So we’ve begun designing rockets using model rocketry principles and kits and are currently working on a multistage rocket project right now.” Photo by Evan Cornish
The Aeronautics Club begins its first season, with over a dozen students attending club meetings to prepare for the American Rocketry Challenge.
Beginning this school year, Clarke Central High School instituted the Aeronautics Club, providing an opportunity for students interested in the field of aeronautics to explore and develop their passion.
Aeronautics Club president Michael Tenner, a senior, founded the club under the guidance of science department teacher and club advisor Matthew Shuman.
“The (Aeronautics Club members) approached me about creating a club that would involve rocketry,” Shuman said. “A lot of them had been doing that in my astronomy class. I said, ‘Absolutely, sounds great.’ I know (they) have the interest, intelligence and the spirit to do that.
Aeronautics Club members convene at 3:40 p.m. on Thursdays, with Tenner facilitating the meetings.
“(Club meetings) usually consist of general open discussion, people working on 3D models for the rocket that we’re currently working on just as a little passion project of ours,” Tenner said. “We (are) just bouncing ideas off of each other regarding stuff we want to make and build for rockets.”
Shuman has applied for two grants to support the funding of the Aeronautics Club: the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Grant for $1500 and the American Rocketry Challenge Innovation Grant for $2000.
“In the future, after we win some grants (and) get a little money, I think (that will be) the next step (in building rockets) I’m highly looking forward to,” Shuman said. “A lot of the products (the Aeronautics Club is) looking to buy are going to be upgraded rockets and consumables such as the engines and the igniters.”
“We (are) just bouncing ideas off of each other regarding stuff we want to make and build for rockets.”
— Matthew Shuman,
Aeronautics Club Advisor
The Aeronautics Club registered 10 members to compete in the American Rocketry Challenge during April and May 2024. They will compete against other high school students in rocketry challenges like flying an egg up and safely landing.
“We’ve 3D printed prototypes for parts, begun designing the specifics of (the rocket) and it’s just gotten more involved as we’ve gone on,” Tenner said. “It seems a lot of the newer members haven’t gotten to launch rockets yet (and) they’re still anticipating getting to see how that goes, (which is) definitely a feeling of excitement for (the team).”
