An explosive twist on education had 210 students cheering at Patuxent Valley Middle School.

Eighth-graders gathered behind the Jessup school Monday to ignite the rockets they created last week.

“I hope mine blows up,” said Alden Klaput, 14. “I call my rocket ‘Dark Gaze.’ It’s something I made up.”

Alden’s rocket had black and blue eyes with red lines drawn through the middle.

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“It’s supposed to mean look before you leap,” he said.

For the third consecutive year, students crafted rockets as part of their study of forces and motion in science, according to a school system news release.

“I just hope mine does a loop-de-loop,” said Alayna Armon, 13.

Rockets were constructed during Core Plus, time specifically allotted for homework and studying. Social studies teacher Chana Tacka said many students finished construction within three days.

“I ran out of time, because I’m in band,” said Stephanie Del Grosso, 13. “So my rocket only has stickers on it.”

Students were instructed to measure their rocket’s altitude with makeshift tools: paper, orange string and a silver washer.

“I’m estimating my rocket will go 73 meters,” said James Hunt, 13.

His rocket “Fireball” had bright flames on its body and a cherry-red nozzle.

“I like flames, and I want to be an aerospace engineer,” he said.

A safe distance from the igniting science projects, students chased the yellow streamer released from their rockets’ interiors.

Once the fuse was lit, several rockets had their own agendas.

Jessica Chapple, 13, watched her rocket soar 80 meters into the sky before landing out of reach on the school’s roof.

“I’d really like my rocket back,” she said.

“I kissed mine for good luck,” said Daniel Agee, 13. His rocket ended up reaching 70 meters.

lduffy@baltimoreexaminer.com