Research & Innovation Magazine
First Metro Public School Rocket Expo at Fisk University
In May 2019, Dr. Kent Wallace facilitated the 1st a Metro Public School Rocket Expo here on Fisk University’s campus. Students from several MNPS schools built and launched solid propellant rockets while learning about rocket construction, flight dynamics, and Newton’s Laws as it pertains to rocketry. Student, faculty, and parent responses were so positive that MNPS’s STEM office asked if Fisk would be willing to host another rocket expo next year. Plans for the 2020 Rocket Expo will take place in October. In August 2019, Dr. Kent Wallace was an invited presenter for Metro Nashville Public School’s (MNPS) Faculty Inservice. Faculty in-service is an event for MNPS Faculty to receive professional development in various areas of teaching & learning, problem-based learning, and various other areas of education. Dr. Wallace gave a talk entitled, “Changing Student Perceptions Through Rocketry.” This talk resulted in several MPS schools inviting Dr. Wallace to engage their students at their respective schools. This is yet another example of how Fisk University is substantively involved in the Nashville community. 36
