When Connor Kuhn read his first book about the chemistry of fireworks, he knew he wanted to launch a rocket someday.
He and Hannah Robertson, both students at the University of Minnesota Morris, had their chance this year as part of the intercollegiate High-Powered Rocket Challenge. Being that there are no rocketry classes offered at UMM, they improvised, with help from the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium’s (MnSGC) James Flaten, PhD, and UMM associate professor of physics Sylke Boyd, PhD.
Kuhn and Robertson used a physics lab for a workspace and got work on their rocket, which they named Morris Maang, which is Anishinaabe for loon. They had “incredibly valuable mentorship” from Augsburg University assistant professor Daniel Hickox-Young, PhD, and student Mubarak Abdi, Kuhn says.
The result? Tons of hands-on learning and an unforgettable experience, says Kuhn, a senior chemistry and philosophy major who plans to pursue a PhD in chemistry after graduation and eventually go on to develop new drugs to combat diseases.
Early intrigue: “I got interested in science by growing up on a farm. Science is integral for farming, so its applications in technology are used daily. Similarly, rocket science also includes algebra, geometry, computing, chemistry and physics.”
Crucial support: “Through [MnSGC], we were provided information and advice on how to build a rocket. We also were provided materials — wood for the rocket fins, the rocket body and most of the electronics. More importantly, they were a helping hand, meeting frequently over Zoom and giving us advice while we were actually building the rocket.”
Launch day nerves: “You have this worry that something could go wrong, but then there’s another half of you that is more rational, saying, ‘We prepared three months for this. We’ve double-checked everything. We’ve calculated the ejection charges. We’ve done the mathematics. We’ve done all the work. This rocket ought to work.’ And thankfully, it did.”
Scholarships include: UMM Morris Academic eXperiences (MAX) Fund
Opportunities everywhere: “Throughout my time at Morris, I have been surrounded by excellent faculty and administration who supported me in going the extra mile. The faculty and administration regularly shared opportunities for students, and I took advantage of many of these opportunities. For example, I studied abroad in the sublime Italian Alps; I studied at different University of Minnesota campuses; I attended multiple conferences where I presented research; I participated in honors programs in Washington, D.C.; I starred in short films and podcasts; and I even undertook rocket science and plenty more. None of these experiences would have been possible if not for the superb resources that Morris has to offer.”