WATERLOO - Some start strong, but then skid off to the side and crash into the wall. Others gain too much air and float briefly before falling to the ground.

And then there's those that achieve a perfect launch. Flung forward with the power of a rubber band, the air racers shoot straight down the hallway gliding just above the floor.

Thirty-two middle school students built the air racers as part of the week-long Gateway Academy at Hawkeye Community College. Waterloo Community Schools is holding the academy to expose students entering eighth grade to career possibilities in science, technology, engineering and math.

The students take turns launching the air racers they constructed out of manila folders in an attempt to reach the ideal speed and trajectory. But Kelsey Eckhoff from Central Middle School found out it requires a few test runs and a number of adjustments to reach that point.

"The first time mine went up in the air," she said. Students were told to use paper clips to add weight to the front of their racers.

"The more paper clips you added, the better it stayed down," said Eckhoff. She started with two paper clips before increasing the number to four.

Students at the district's four middle schools were given the opportunity to sign up for the academy this spring. This is the second summer the district is offering the academy, which is funded by grants from the John Deere Foundation and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. It is being taught by industrial technology teachers Bob Morgan of Hoover Middle School and Wayne Lidtke of Bunger Middle School.

Morgan and Lidtke are teaching the students how an engineer begins designing something, including the basics of making a sketch and turning an idea into blueprints, and the importance of precisely following directions.

Central student Destany Walvatne found that out with the air racer, which when complete was rectangular-shaped with two vertical stabilizers attached to the back.

"We had to use the rulers and make all the dimensions as he said them," she noted.

"You had to have good ears to stay on track," added Eckhoff.

"You had to be really accurate with your cutting and measuring," stated Hoover Middle School student Abbie Schares. "If you didn't measure it right, it wouldn't operate very well."

Students also are building a "bug" with a small electric motor that is designed to change directions whenever it runs into something, a wooden race car powered by compressed air and a foam racer that runs on a magnetic levitation track. In addition, they are touring some Hawkeye programs and John Deere.

Students "were selected based on their math and science scores, interests and abilities," said Shelly Smith, the district's community education program coordinator. "Some didn't have strong scores, but had interest and abilities."

"Our objective is that some of you will see the big picture," Morgan told the students during a lecture on how engineers take an idea from concept to reality.

"There are engineers involved in every aspect of our lives, somewhere down the line. There is something in this area for everyone."

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is helping to fund such academies because fewer young people are pursuing engineering-related careers during an era when more engineers are retiring.

"Studies show there's going to be a deficit in about eight years," said Smith. "So we're planting seeds."

Those who develop an interest in science, engineering, technology or math careers will be encouraged to take appropriate classes in the coming years of middle and high school.

"The main thing is (that) you have a strong science background and you have a strong math background," Lidtke told the students.

By the time they start classes at East or West high schools, the students will be able to take part in classes that form an engineering career pathway supported by curriculum from Project Lead the Way. The non-profit organization provides hands-on, project- and problem-based curriculums.

In the fall, the Echoes after-school program will offer activities for students similar to what they are doing this week during the academy.

"I hadn't done Echoes before," said Hoover student Ben Marks. But with the opportunity to continue exploring engineering concepts, he plans on staying after school this fall. For now, though, he is focused on this week's activities.

"I want to come away with more knowledge in engineering, because I think that's what I want to do," said Marks.

Contact Andrew Wind

at (319) 291-1507 or

andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.