Adair County Supervisors hear success stories from ISU Extension Children’s Programs
May 31st, 2023 by Ric Hanson
(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, heard from Iowa State University Extension representatives Kerry Aistrope and Carolyn Savage, with regard to Children’s Spring Break programs, and a reimbursement for $2,949.57 associated with the cost of one of the programs.
A grant covered a good chunk of the expenses.Most of the programs are STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) kit. Pre-K through 5th Grade students at Nodaway Valley and Kindergarten through 6th Grade in Orient took the projects home.
Some of the projects involved the creation of paper airplanes using different types of materials and engineer. A couple of weeks later, the kids built, under the watchful eye of older students, model rockets that took to the sky last Friday.
The kids were taught how to load the fuel and pack the parachutes for the reusable rockets. High school students actually took care of the launch process, as a safety precaution. To relaunch the rockets next year, the program only has to pay for the engine load, according to Aistrope. An investment in a Blue Tooth launch controller next year will aid in the safety protocols.
ISU Extension staffers said the kids were excited about the projects, especially the rockets.