FAYETTEVILLE, AR--In the realm of educational excellence and innovation, the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation continues to illuminate pathways for students with its recent $5,000 grant to the Fayetteville Aeronautical and Space Team (FAST) at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas. This grant, given at the recommendation of SWEPCO, has proven to be a catalyst for growth, providing FAST with the resources needed to excel in national rocket competitions.
The grant was primarily used to help fund a 3D printer to make rocket parts easier and less expensive to procure and to help the club of more than 20 students build a new flight computer, crucial for success in national competitions.
FAST was launched in 2015 by program advisor Jeff O’Connell and former FHS student and aspiring astronaut Robert Ross, has been on a journey of discovery, learning and dreams taking flight. The AEP Foundation's commitment to education shines brightly through this grant.
James Depew, SWEPCO Customer Service Manager, represented SWEPCO at the check presentation. He says he appreciates the AEP Foundation's focus on education. "This grant is a testament to our commitment to fostering educational initiatives. It empowers students in STEM fields and aligns seamlessly with our vision at SWEPCO," said Depew.
Robert Ross’ story is a testament to how science programs like FAST can launch students into a trajectory of success. After graduation at Fayetteville High School, Ross attended Wichita State University, where he graduated with honors in May 2023 with an Aerospace Engineering degree. He was selected for the Air Force Officer Training School to become a military pilot.
“I wrote about FAST in my application and that I had founded it because I wanted to learn more about aerospace engineering, and I wanted to share that opportunity with my classmates and future students at FHS,” said Ross. “I believe my work with FAST gave me valuable leadership experience and provided problem solving experience that was crucial to my success studying aerospace engineering at Wichita State.”
FAST program advisor Jeff O’Connell said after school programs like this often face funding challenges. He said the AEP Foundations grant will have a transformative impact. "Our funding often goes to materials for 3D printing filament and rocket engines. The AEP Foundation Grant has allowed us to invest in a better 3D printer and build a flight computer, making us more competitive in the American Rocketry Challenge," said O’Connell.
FHS’s FAST team participates in the The American Rocketry Challenge. Nearly 5,000 students participate every year. They design, build and launch model rockets. It’s highly competitive.
“It's the biggest rocket competition that's in existence. Every year the goal changes. Last year our team had to design a rocket to fly at least 850 feet. To make it more challenging, the rocket had to have an egg on board and the rocket had to land without the egg cracking open,” explained O’Connell. “Right now our students are doing intense manual calculations to accomplish this. The 3D printer and flight computer funded by AEP will help time the rockets better and help launch parachutes at just the right moment to accomplish the tasks during competition.
"The support from outside organizations like the AEP Foundation is just amazing,” Emma Pierce, Director of Operations & Programs at Fayetteville Public Education Foundation said. This grant enables teachers like O’Connell to provide students with unique learning experiences that go beyond the traditional classroom setting."
More than 20 FHS students in the FAST program will compete in The American Rocketry Challenge in spring of 2024. As for Ross, he says he’s proud of his legacy and the future for the club. “I have enjoyed watching FAST continue to grow over the years, and I can’t wait to see what they will do next!”