Leading a rocketry project

Leading a rocketry project I just want to press the button and watch it go woosh!

You are here • Attending this workshop, means you are here because you want your branch to run a rocketry project this year. • I am here because each year we get enquires from our branches about running projects, however they do not know where to start or get the required information. • We have tried to provide this information through this workshop. • Now we want you to have the skills to return to your branches and co-ordinate your own projects. • There is no absolute right way to run a project

You are here • You are essential to your branch now • How you function will determine the outcome of your projects • Most of you came in groups from your branches, this allow you to work with people to the same goal. One person cannot do everything. • You are the ones that need to pass on this information and decide what you do with it. Making decision from now is very important.

In this session I do not want to scare you, it is simpler than it seems. We just need to think about what would be best for your branch. So in this session we shall address the following questions. • What type of branch are you ? • What project format would suit your branch? • How best to implement this? • What outcomes would you like at the end?

First steps… • What sort of branch do you have ? • What administrative structure do you follow? • Are you affiliated or part of a bigger society? • How many members do you have, and how many would join a project like this? • Do you have any source of funding? • The level of experience and expertise of members? • What are your branches ambitions regarding rocketry

Next… • What project format it best for you? • This normally depends on the size of your branch and funding • Do you want to run a group project and tackle a task all together or a few groups or would you like to teach people as individuals and work from the ground up. • Groups are in general cheaper and easier to spread the cost, more likely to do a mid powered project. • Less workload per person and shared knowledge • Individual training will provide people with a great understanding and possibly better experience • Individual training is good for medium sized societies e.g. 20-40 members wanting to do rocketry • At ICSEDS…

Will it work … • How best to implement this? • Personally, I draw up a plan from the end point working backward. Slowly adding more details as they come. • Do it, planning can only take you so far, once you have a general plan you are happy with go for it. • Things will go wrong, horrible wrong. Manage the situation and do not panic • Learn from your mistakes • Delegate, to the right people. Do not just pass all your work on to someone else. • Be ambition but have a plan B

At the end of the day … • What do you want out of the project ? • A cool rocket • Experience • A good time • Breaking the sound barrier • Data • Making an idea (even a crazy one) into reality

It not all about deep thinking • Now there are some good general practices when it comes to leading a project, the following is a very structured approach/example you can use for project management • As soon as you sign up to lead a group project, you'll need to establish your leadership role and define your goal. • Call a meeting to hold a group brainstorming session where the group will identify the goal or the desired outcome. This will ensure that every member understands the assignment. Ask group members to name every task and tool needed. • Assign a recorder to take notes. • Don't try to be too structured during this brainstorming session to give every member an equal voice. Be open to the possibility that one or two people may have several good suggestions, while others may not have any.

Sample Task The teacher has divided her civics class into two groups and asked each group to come up with a political cartoon. Students will choose a political issue, explain the issue, and come up with a cartoon to demonstrate a view on the issue. Sample tools: Poster Coloured markers/paints Paint brushes Pencils Paper for presentations Samples of political cartoons in history Camera Slide film Slide projector • Sample tasks: • Choose person to draw • Buy tools for cartoon • Come up with positions on specified issues • Research individual issues • Research role and history of political cartoons • Present possible cartoon topics • Vote on best topic • Write a paper describing chosen topic and view • Write a paper giving overview of political cartoons • Design possible cartoons • Vote on cartoon • Write analysis of cartoon

Sample Task • So let us see if you are paying attention ! • The “rocket man” has set you the task to design a rocket that has to reach an altitude of 1km using any type of G or H motor. • In groups of 4-6 you have 5 minutes to identify what tools and tasks are needed to reach your goals

Sample Task

Tasks • Some tasks will take a few minutes, while others will take several days. For example, choosing a person to cut a fin out with take minutes, while buying the materials and tools will take a few hours. Some tasks, like the process of researching how to send live telemetry, will take several days. Label each task with its projected time allowance. • On the display board, draw the first stage of a diagram for the project path to demonstrate this first meeting. Use circles to indicate starting and finishing points. • The first stage is the brainstorming meeting, where you are creating a needs analysis.

Order • Assess the nature and order for tasks to be completed and assign a number for each task. • Some of the tasks will be sequential and some will be simultaneous. For example, the positions should be well-researched before the group can meet to vote on a position. Along the same lines, someone will have to shop for supplies before members can start building. These are sequential tasks. • Examples of simultaneous tasks include research tasks. One task member can research the benefits of supersonic flight and someone else can research the best number of fins. • As you define tasks, expand your diagram showing the "path" of the project. • Note that some tasks should be placed on parallel lines, to show that they can be done simultaneously. • Once a good project path is established and diagrammed, make a smaller reproduction on paper and provide a copy for each team member.

Order Give it a go!

Assigning • Assign students to carry out specific assignments. • Divide the work according to students' strengths. For instance, students with strong writing skills may be teamed up with students who research well. Those students can focus on one issue together e.g. project reports. • Meet with each task group as the task is completed. • As team leader, you will need to follow up with each team/member to make sure the tasks are completed on time. • This path analysis system provides a system for clearly defining a role for each team member and placing time limits for each task.

Finally • Schedule a group meeting for testing and pre flight check. • Once all tasks are completed, have the group meet for a pre flight check • Make sure your team are confident in the readiness of your rocket to fly • Test any technology that will be used, such as altimeters. • Remind everyone of the importance of arriving early. • If possible, leave launch materials with the rocket. Don't take the risk of a team member leaving something at home. • Finally, thank the team for their hard work!

This approach was every organised and depended on very good team work and leadership • Not essentially the best for you. I like a more laid back approach but it is key to appreciate the advantages this approach has and take what you think is relevant to your project. • ICSEDS is more like a carnival dictatorship • Something is working … • https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.493727524000754.110821.464107636962743&type=3

References • http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/ss/projectleader.htm

Leading a rocketry project