SAU students take flight at SAU Rocket Workshop

MAGNOLIA, Arkansas — The sky was the limit for approximately 30 aspiring scientists and engineers who participated in the 2nd Arkansas High-Powered Rocket Workshop, held from June 9 to 12 at Southern Arkansas University, culminating in the successful launch of nine high-powered rockets.

Sponsored by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) through a $30,000 grant secured by Dr. Abdel Bachri, the workshop brought together high school students, college undergraduates, teachers, and professors from across the state for an intensive, four-day, hands-on aerospace experience all while residing on SAU’s campus.

Participants were grouped into interdisciplinary teams and worked through the entire engineering design cycle-from conceptual planning to rocket launch. Over the week, students engaged in a hands-on rocketry experience using OpenRocket software to simulate their own rocket designs. They machined parts in SAU’s engineering machine shop, cut fins using CNC and laser etching, and 3D-printed camera bays. Participants assembled parachute recovery systems, installed rocket motors, tested stability, and integrated payloads-including onboard video cameras and a Rocket Recovery Controller with a flight recorder and a barometric dual-deploy altimeter. Throughout the program, students learned rocket safety and propulsion principles, earning progress toward Level 1 certification.

“This workshop represents the very best of STEM education-bringing people together from diverse backgrounds and giving them the tools, mentorship, and opportunity to do something extraordinary,” said Dr. Abdel Bachri, workshop organizer and dean of SAU’s College of Science and Engineering. “Thanks to support from ASGC and NASA, we’re not just inspiring the next generation of engineers-we’re launching them.”

The event concluded with a thrilling launch day, where all teams successfully deployed their rockets in the open fields of the SAU Laney Farm. For many, it was their first time witnessing-and engineering-a rocket launch. Participants could take home their rockets after the projectiles returned safely to Earth.