Taft Middle School looks to propel students towards future in rocket science
The program, which allows students to learn hands-on what it takes to send astronauts into space, is the only one of its kind in the city.
'We at Taft Middle School are on the cusp of what is up-and-coming and the next up-in-coming segment in engineering is aerospace,' said Hortencia Garcia-Rubio, principal of Taft Middle School.
Behind the hedges: La Jolla's Secret Garden Tour returns this May
'I'd love to be the first person to step on Mars,' said Casen Addy, a student at Taft who participated in a launch event on Fiesta Island Friday, expressing excitement about the program.
The aerospace initative was introduced as part of a collaboration with STEAMWorks, which provides all the parts needed for the students' projects. Students each load a rocket onto a launch pad and shoot them into the sky, simulating real-world aerospace engineering tasks.
John Pacente, SteamWorks CEO, explained the experience gives students a leg up looking ahead to college applications, on top of sparking an interest in the industry as a potential career path.
While many of these students are getting their first exposure to aerospace, at least one said it has been a dream for a long time.
'It inspires me. When I was like 3 [years old], I had an interest in rocket science stuff,' Kisen Durand, another student, said of his passion. 'I wanted to launch my own and today I did.'
As the only middle school in San Diego with a rocket program, Taft is offering its students a unique chance to engage with aerospace technology in a way that could propel them to other opportunities in high school and beyond.
With this program, Taft Middle School students are gaining valuable experience that could shape their future careers in aerospace and beyond.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
09-08-2025
- The Hill
SpaceX astronauts splashdown safely off Southern California coast
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After more than four months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), four astronauts safely returned to Earth on Saturday morning with a splashdown off the coast of San Diego, wrapping up NASA and SpaceX's Crew-10 mission. According to SpaceX, the Dragon spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 6 05 p.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 8, and completed a series of precise 'orbit-lowering maneuvers' before re-entering Earth's atmosphere. The capsule made a successful splashdown at 11:33 a.m. EDT on Saturday in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 17 hours since the crew's departure. Aboard the spacecraft were NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. All four crewmembers are reported to be in good health following recovery operations. The mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14, marked a 145-day stay in orbit. The Dragon capsule autonomously docked with the ISS just over a day after launch and supported a wide range of scientific research during its time in space. While in orbit, Crew-10 contributed to experiments aimed at advancing future human space exploration and improving life on Earth, including studies on microgravity's effects on human health and new technologies for long-duration missions, SpaceX officials explained. This Dragon spacecraft has now completed multiple missions, having previously flown NASA's Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 missions. The Falcon 9 rocket used in this mission also marked its second flight, previously launching the SES 03b mPOWER satellite. NASA and SpaceX streamed the re-entry and splashdown live via webcast and on the new X TV app, giving space enthusiasts a front-row seat to the exciting conclusion of the mission. The safe return off California's southern coast marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between NASA and SpaceX as they continue to advance crewed spaceflight capabilities.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Yahoo
There's a tree in California that's older than the Egyptian pyramids
BIG PINE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Hidden high in the White Mountains of eastern California, a gnarled, weathered tree quietly holds a staggering secret — it's nearly 5,000 years old. Known as the Methuselah Tree, this Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) is one of the oldest known living trees on Earth, having sprouted around 2830 BCE — over a century before the Egyptian pyramids rose from the sands. Nestled within the Inyo National Forest's Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the Methuselah Tree has long fascinated scientists, historians, and nature lovers alike. Its twisted trunk and timeworn branches are shaped by millennia of harsh winds, snow and sun, standing as a living witness to human history. Methuselah was once considered the oldest living non-clonal tree in the world — meaning it has survived as the same individual organism for nearly 5 millennia. Although other slightly older bristlecones have since been discovered, Methuselah remains one of the most iconic ancient trees on the planet. California State Parks rolls out new reservation upgrades to help campers find perfect site A tree older than civilization A tree's age is usually determined by counting its growth rings. Each year, a tree adds a new ring to its trunk, so the number of rings shows how old it is. Scientists don't have to cut the tree down to count the rings. Instead, they use a special tool to take a thin core sample from the trunk. To put the Methuselah Tree's age in perspective: It began growing centuries years before the Great Pyramid of Giza was built, and it was already over 3,000 years old when Julius Caesar ruled Rome. Despite its fame, the exact location of the Methuselah Tree is kept secret by the U.S. Forest Service to protect it from vandalism and foot traffic. Visitors to the Methuselah Grove can hike the area's scenic trails, which feature other bristlecone pines estimated to be thousands of years old. Why bristlecones live so long The Great Basin bristlecone pine thrives in extreme conditions where few other trees can survive — high altitudes, rocky soil, and low moisture. This tough environment actually contributes to the species' longevity. As explained by officials with U.S. Department of Agriculture, slow growth, dense wood, and natural resilience make bristlecones incredibly durable over time. Scientists continue to study the Methuselah Tree and its ancient relatives to gain insight into climate patterns, forest ecosystems, and tree aging. Hike to the world's largest wooden trestle bridge — it's in Southern California Trekking the Methuselah Trail For those seeking a walk through living history, the Methuselah Trail offers a rare, humbling encounter with the endurance of nature. Visitors can explore the area by hiking a 4.5-mile loop, considered moderate by popular hiking app AllTrails, that winds through the grove where many of these old trees grow. The trail and forest are open seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the high elevation — the trail sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level. It's recommended to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be aware of potential altitude effects. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Methuselah Tree can technically be seen along this trail, but there is not a sign that points it out. Do you think you can spot it? As the world changes around us, the Methuselah Tree stands quietly on its windswept ridge, reminding us of nature's resilience — and the importance of preserving it for generations to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Yahoo
Eyes to the sky: Two Starlink Falcon 9 launches set to light up California coastline
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. — (FOX 5/KUSI) — SpaceX is gearing up for back-to-back rocket launches from California's Central Coast, with not one but two Falcon 9 Starlink missions scheduled to roar into the skies from Vandenberg Space Force Base over the coming week. Launch No. 1: July 30 The countdown begins Wednesday, July 30, during a four-hour launch window between 8:39 a.m. and 12:39 p.m. According to SpaceX, this mission isn't just another satellite delivery — it marks the 27th flight for the well-traveled Falcon 9 booster, a remarkable feat in reusable rocket technology. This seasoned first stage has previously launched an impressive lineup, including classified payloads like NROL-87 and SARah-1, Earth science missions like SWOT, and more than a dozen previous Starlink satellite deployments. After stage separation, the booster will again attempt a pinpoint landing on the 'Of Course I Still Love You' droneship, floating in the Pacific. As the rocket climbs toward the edge of space, residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may be treated to a rare sonic boom — or even multiple — depending on weather and atmospheric conditions. There's a tree in California that's older than the Egyptian pyramids Launch No. 2: Aug. 2 If you miss Wednesday's launch, don't worry — SpaceX has a second show scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2, between 7:05 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. This evening launch could create a breathtaking twilight display as the Falcon 9 cuts through the fading sunlight, an increasingly popular phenomenon for skywatchers across Southern California. This flight will carry 24 more Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, adding to SpaceX's ever-expanding constellation aimed at delivering global high-speed internet. It will also be the ninth flight for this particular booster, previously seen launching government missions like NROL-126 and SPHEREx, along with four earlier Starlink runs. Like its July 30 counterpart, this booster will aim for a droneship landing, once again aboard the 'Of Course I Still Love You,' stationed off the California coast. How to watch Can't make it to the Central Coast? No problem. SpaceX will livestream both launches starting about five minutes before liftoff, on their official X account (@SpaceX) and the new X TV app. Whether you're a rocket enthusiast, a student of the stars, or just someone looking for a reason to step outside and look up — this week is your moment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
