Enthusiasm soars at STEM NOLA Rocket Day
20th July 2026 · 0 Comments
By Ryan Whirty
Contributing Writer
More than 500 people turned out July 11 at the Lakefront Arena on the LSU-New Orleans campus for STEM NOLA’s Rocket Day, during which kids K-12 used hands-on learning to learn about the science and mechanics of rocket flight by constructing and launching their own hand-held rockets.
Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, said the event went extremely well.
“Absolutely amazing,” Mackie said. “The weather is cooperating, parents love it, and the kids are learning about force and thrust. It was amazingly successful.”
Mackie said STEM NOLA held its first Rocket Day in 2015, and the event keeps getting better. He said the best way to encourage kids to pursue science and mathematics is giving them opportunities to learn up close and personal.
“Exposure is the key,” he said, adding that having Rocket Days makes sense in New Orleans, which he noted is “ground zero” for aerospace science in America, thanks to the proximity of the Michoud Assembly Facility and other key space flight installations.
“Our kids should be exposed to it, because they can build a career right here,” he said.
On a hot July day, hundreds of kids from area schools watched with wonder as their own creations streaked across a blue sky.
Ten-year-old Maxx Torbay of Hynes-UNO Charter School gripped his rocket in his hand and spun around with an armsoutstretched to demonstrate how his creation shot into the air.
“I like how the rockets go zoom, really high up!” he exclaimed. How did his own rocket do that day?
“It did great the first time [it launched],” Maxx said. “The second time, nah.”
Maxx’s father, Stuart Gurba, said Maxx has attended several STEM NOLA events, including two Rocket Days now.
“We love it,” Gurba said. “Mr. Mackie does a great job organizing it. It translates to a real positive [experience] because it helps kids focus on learning.”
Patrick Henry Elementary School student Kash Reynaud said he had an excellent time at the event.
“I loved it,” he said, adding that his rocket went pretty far. “I like how we shot the paper rockets. We got to make our own.”
In addition to the youth participants and their families, several dozen college students and professionals attended the July 11 event to help instruct and mentor the kids attending. Rocket Day was a free event and was open to the public.
Rocket Day was co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin, Cox, LSU New Orleans, LSU New Orleans Lakefront Arena, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD), the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans City Council.
STEM NOLA is a local organization aimed at exposing, engaging and inspiring students in grades K-12 to the world of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The organization employs hands-on programs and immersive learning experiences to provide chances for students of all ages to build the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in STEM fields.
STEM Global Action, the nationwide expansion of STEM NOLA, is dedicated to bringing such opportunities to communities across the U.S. and help develop a diverse and skilled workforce for the future.
This article originally published in the July 20, 2026 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
