• One LCC class finally launched the rockets they have been working on for the past 3 weeks

UPDATE: OKEMOS - Some students at LCC East were required to wear safety goggles on their final day of class as they launched the rockets they had been working on for the past three weeks.

11-year old Matthew Sietsema is one of those students.

“If you get to project anything a hundred feet in the air with some possibility of something hilarious happening, I mean, I’m covered," said Matthew.

Matthew is a student of the Gifted and Talented Education Program at LCC East, and has taken its aeronautics and rocketry class for 3 years already. Judy Howard, LCC East's coordinator for youth programs, explained the idea behind GATE.

“Children are just thirsty for knowledge. When they find an interest that they have a really good passion about, they want to do more, a little bit more than maybe the average classroom could be able to develop for them so we feel that we can plug that hole for them," she said.

To enroll into a GATE class, students must be in 2nd through 8th grade and receive a recommendation from a teacher or GATE coordinator.

The next classes for the GATE program are scheduled to begin March 3rd, and it is not too late to hunt down a recommendation for your child.



ORIGINAL STORY: OKEMOS - 2nd through 8th grade students are receiving additional stimulation at LCC East. Get the details on Meridian Magazine.