November 22, 2021
Students enrolled in Dr. Tom Gonnella’s Physics I class at Mayville State University took learning outdoors Wednesday, Nov. 17. Members of the class had built and painted rockets designed to help them expand and test their physics knowledge. They headed outdoors to put their theories into play. The about 30 mph wind definitely made the activity much 
more challenging.
MSU Instructor of Biology Jeff Hovde launched the rockets while Professor of Chemistry Tom Gonnella video recorded the launches. The videos will be used by the students to analyze physics fundamentals, including velocity.
Photo captions:
Top. Mayville State students who tested the functionality of the rockets they built in their physics class included (l-r) Thyra Peterick, Kailin Ensign, and Kelli Cashman.
Second. Mayville State students (l-r) Taylor Stegman, Ramsay Taliaferro, and Robert Farquharson watched as the results of their work were put to the test.
Third. Cool temperatures and high winds played a role in the outcome of the rocket launches. Here Mayville State students (l-r) Jelon Hilton, Grace Lovro, and Zachary Roller watch as the rockets they built are launched.
Bottom. Professor Dr. Tom Gonnella demonstrates Mayville State’s commitment to personal service at its finest as he works to retrieve the rocket of one of his physics students from a tree. High winds provided challenges for the rocket launch held Nov. 17.