Highland Park Thursday 08.30.12. Rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips uses a straw while blowing on a ping pong ball while visiting Edgewood Middle School students on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at the school in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Space & Missile Propulsion at The Air Force Research Laboratory. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media

Edgewood Middle School 7th grader Ari Brooks blows up a balloon while taking part in an experiment put on by rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips during a visit to the school on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Spac

Highland Park Thursday 08.30.12. Rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips (far right) talks with Edgewood Middle School students during a visit to the school on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Space & Missile Propulsion at The Air Force Research Laboratory. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media

Edgewood Middle School 7th grader Anaiss Arroyo takes part in an experiment put on by rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips during a visit to the school on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Space & Missile Propulsion

Rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips with Edgewood Middle School students during a visit to the school on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Space & Missile Propulsion at The Air Force Research Laboratory. | Buzz Orr~

Edgewood Middle School students listen to rocket scientist Shawn H. Phillips (far right) during a visit to the school on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Highland Park. Phillips is the Deputy Chief of Space & Missile Propulsion at The Air Force Research Labora