2011 4-H State Field Day

Photos from the 2011 4-H State Field Day in Davis, CA. We had a great event and huge turnout of people wanting to see rabbits and make paper tube rockets. Many thanks to all the Two Rock 4-H kids and families who assisted in the booths and answered questions all day.

2011 Maker Faire

Started in 2006,  Maker Faire is the premier event for grassroots American innovation. As the World's Largest DIY Festival, this two-day family friendly Faire has something for everyone - a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness and a celebration of the Maker mindset. Zoe and the Bell family went to the Maker Faire and we had a blast - way too much to see in one day but we did our best.

In 2012, I'll encourage all 4-H SET kids to meet us down in San Mateo for the next Makers Faire!

4-H SET Rocket Project Blasts Off

Two Rock 4-H SET constructed two different types of rockets in December and January as a part of this years project theme "Kid Powered Creations". Our first project was air powered rockets. We used a mixture of home made supplies like cardboard tubes for rocket bodies, poster foam board for fins and ping pong balls for rocket noses. Our launchers were made from plastic PVC pipe and fittings, a sprinkler solenoid valve, two nine volt batteries and a foot pump to pressurize the air chamber.

After sorting out some problems with leaks and fittings, we ventured out in the pouring rain to press a button and launch our rockets. The kids and parent had a great time experimenting with how high they could launch their rocket. We found out that above 80-90 PSI on the air pump produced some interesting results - like exploding rockets!