Students in St. Bernard Prep’s physics program recently traded textbooks for thrust as they wrapped up an ambitious engineering challenge, designing, building, launching, and recovering a fully functional two-stage rocket. What began as a classroom project quickly turned into a high-altitude adventure, complete with real engineering math, split-second staging, and a triumphant search-and-rescue mission across campus.

Launch day brought clear, cold skies and plenty of anticipation as the class gathered on the softball field. Working from authentic engineering specifications, students modeled mass distribution, thrust curves, burn times, aerodynamics, and drag. They built a rocket capable of clean stage separation, impressive altitude, and a controlled descent using custom-designed recovery streamers. After weeks of measurements, simulations, fabrication, and safety checks, the countdown began.

The rocket roared skyward, stages separated exactly as planned, and both sections drifted back toward earth. Instructor Matthew Green, in his first year teaching physics at St. Bernard, described the chase with a smile: “Our rocket flew southward into the pasture. A quick 20-minute search retrieved the nose cone and altimeter.” He continued, “We actually followed the rocket in the school van as it descended, which helped us narrow the search. In all, it had about 10 minutes of flight time and took us 20 minutes to locate the rocket and recovery system.”

Students put their physics knowledge into action from start to finish, calculating impulse, modeling drag, predicting flight profiles, comparing expectations to real data, and refining their designs in true engineering fashion. They discovered that STEM isn’t just about solving for x; it’s about testing ideas, troubleshooting problems, collaborating with peers, and experiencing the thrill of making something fly.

The project also highlighted the spirit of exploration that Green brings to the classroom. Earlier this year, he was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Navy, and he now channels that same discipline and curiosity into guiding students through complex, real-world challenges.

By the time the rocket was recovered—intact and celebrated like a returning astronaut—the class had gained far more than altitude data. They walked away with hands-on skills, confidence in their abilities, and the unforgettable memory of watching something they built soar high above St. Bernard’s campus.

The launch can be viewed on the school’s Facebook page.