(Top row)
Cadet Master Sgt. Ralph Melanson gives a Cub Scout some hands-on guidance in Goddard rocket manufacture.
(Second row, left)
A beaming Cub Scout proudly shows off his rocket.
(Second row, right)
Cadet Master Sgt. Ralph Melanson offers advice to the young rocket-builders.
(Bottom row)
Cub Scouts follow along as Cadet Staff Sgt. Nicholas Choiniere demonstrates a step.
2nd Lt. Lee Whitney
Goddard Cadet Squadron
Massachusetts Wing
MASSACHUSETTS -- Goddard Cadet Squadron members have ushered in the beginning of enhanced aerospace education opportunities with the formation of the Aerospace Special Interest Group.
The group was created to allow cadets with a special interest in aerospace to meet and share their passion through cadet-driven activities. The ASIG’s focus is twofold -- internal and external.
Internal activities consist of hands-on exercises, including pursuing model rocketry, constructing aerospace projects such as a wind tunnel and a hovercraft, mentoring other cadets in aerospace and model rocketry, and taking field trips.
External activities are intended to provide aerospace education to schools and communities, including setting up aerospace displays at appropriate events to promote aerospace and CAP.
The first external activity occurred during the summer when the squadron was asked to provide Cub Scout Pack 53 of Auburn with an aerospace activity at the Scouts’ open house.
Cadet Master Sgt. Ralph Melanson and Cadet Staff Sgt. Nicholas Choiniere volunteered stepped up and oversaw the evening’s project – the construction and launching of foam Goddard rockets.
Armed with duct tape and other components, after being introduced to the open house audience the two cadets were quickly overrun by an excited mass to 7- to 11-year-old boys in blue uniforms.
Without hesitation Melanson and Choiniere took control, and before long all of the Scouts were launching their rockets throughout the meeting hall. At the end of the exercise, they determined that 35 rockets had been constructed within 30 minutes.
The evening proved so successful that not only were the pair showered with accolades and thanks, but the Goddard squadron was asked to return in the fall with another activity.