Cola cans falling from the sky isn't rocket science. Or is it?

Members of the King David School's team that has designed a satellite from a soft drink can. They are heading to France to deploy it in the CanSat competition against international competitors. Photo: Pat Scala

STUDENTS at the King David School never imagined studying motion laws in physics would lead to them watching soft drink cans fall out of the French sky, in a contest which simulates a space mission.
But this month the Armadale school and the Victorian Space Science Education Centre will represent Australia in the CanSat competition at a military base in France, a global challenge in which students compete to create the best model satellite in a soft drink can.
The satellite, which will be launched by a high-powered rocket or helium balloon, must relay data on humidity, air pressure and temperature.

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Students also need to design an inflatable airbag to cushion the impact of the landing, and deploy an antenna to transmit the data once the soft drink can has hit the ground.
The King David team, including current and former students, will be one of the few school groups , with most teams representing universities.
King David School's science co-ordinator, Milorad Cerovac, said he was always looking for ways to engage students in science.
''As a science teacher, I feel like I have a responsibility to encourage more students into science, engineering and technology,'' Mr Cerovac said.
''We certainly have noticed an increase in students' interest - some students who weren't really sure where they were going are now really focused on scientific disciplines.''
Year 12 student Josh Marlow said one of the challenges the team had faced was the difficulty of squeezing the satellite into a soft drink can: ''At one point we weren't sure everything would fit.''
He said the motion laws he learnt earlier in the year in physics had come in handy on the project and he had also swotted up on electricity, because the satellite contained telemetry chips, which transmitted the data using electrical signals.
Josh said while he had always considered a possible career in science, he had not thought about engineering until he became involved in the CanSat challenge.
''Now there is a very real possibility I might end up in engineering - (engineering degrees) are two of my top three university preferences.''
Naomi Mathers, the program developer at the Victorian Space Science Education Centre, said science should be fun, hands on and exciting.
''Just like you can compete in sporting competitions, you should be able to compete in science competitions,'' Dr Mathers said.
''We are trying to make science relevant so students can see career pathways in Australia.''
Dr Mathers said the federal government had recently invested $40 million in space research.
''Australia won't be launching people to the moon but there are niche areas we are seen to be strong in, such as the ability to analyse data from sensors and satellites. Having students with these skills will enable them to move into these industries.''
The CanSat competition will be held in Biscarrose, France, from August 21 to 25.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/cola-cans-falling-from-the-sky-isnt-rocket-science-or-is-it-20110731-1i6e1.html#ixzz1TkJCdR8j