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Woodworth Middle School Rocket Club wins regional competition; students seek high-school club support
Summary
Members of Woodworth Middle School27s Rocket Club described winning first place at the Rockets for Schools event and asked the board to consider supporting a high-school rocket club; students and the group lead described the rocket design, custom payload and startup costs.
Woodworth Middle School students and their teacher visited the Fond du Lac School Board on May 28 to present their recent first-place finish at the Rockets for Schools secondary launch and to ask for support for a possible high-school Rocket Club.
"Our team, Electric Shock, earned first place at the Rockets for Schools secondary launch event held May 2025 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin," student leader Sam Dremel told the board. Student presenters described their event and engineering work: the club launched a class-1 rocket described as standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall and powered by a CTI 1085 engine with an estimated altitude of about 2,500 feet. Students explained a custom engineered payload they developed that included an Arduino Uno, motor, potentiometer, SD card and a 3D-printed turbine assembly that produced electricity in flight.
Teacher Missus Ludwig (identified in remarks as the group sponsor) introduced multiple students who described their roles: one student spoke about mission-control duties (safety checks and countdowns), another described iterative design changes to the 3D-printed turbine to adapt to side winds and increase propeller count, and club leaders outlined startup costs. Students said a single rocket is "roughly around $500" including event entry, and that a new team could begin with about $500 to $1,000 depending on fundraising; past Woodworth fundraisers cited included back-to-school brat fries and grants that covered subsequent years when paperwork was completed.
The students asked the board to consider whether a high-school Rocket Club could be formed; they listed needs including a mentor and startup funds.
Ending
Board members praised the students27 work and several trustees suggested the district explore ways to support expansion to the high school. Administration and trustees said they would consider options and follow up with the club about potential mentorship and funding routes.
