DART supports individuals and local groups that are interested in model rocketry.

New Rocketeers

New rocketeers are always welcome at DART.  We can provide advice on design, construction, motor selection, parachute packing, and other issues related to safe and enjoyable flying.  Please contact any member at a launch.  We’re happy to help!

TARC

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world’s largest student rocket contest and a key piece of the aerospace and defense industry’s strategy to build a stronger U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), TARC was created in the fall of 2002 as a one-time celebration of the Centennial of Flight, but by popular demand became an annual program.

Approximately 5,000 students from across the nation compete in TARC each year. The contest challenges students to design, build and fly a rocket to safely carry a raw egg payload to a specific altitude and back within a certain amount of time. The contest’s rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design.

Based on local qualification flights, the top 100 teams are invited to Washington, D.C. in May for the National Finals. Top placing teams split more than $100,000 in cash and scholarships and the overall winning team will travel to Europe to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge taking place at either the Farnborough or Paris Air Show, depending on the year.

Visit the TARC web site (www.rocketcontest.org) for more information. If your school is interested in participating in TARC, DART has registered mentors who can assist and advise the student teams.

Schools

DART works with schools to support science classes or other activities that incorporate rocketry as a teaching method.  Rocketry is a great experience that can teach propulsion, aerodynamics, stability, structures, and construction.  Modern rocketry can include advanced topics including electronics and controls including Arduino systems.  Please contact us for more information.

Scouts

DART is happy to host scout groups at our regularly scheduled launches.  For large groups, we can also schedule special launch dates (subject to field availability). Please contact us to let us know the size of your group and any special requests.