Texas Tech University Center for Engineering Outreach
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July 10, 2006

Chandler Gives Keynote Address at Tripoli Rocketry Association Banquet

Wayside – John Chandler, Ph.D., a director of the Center for Engineering Outreach, was featured as a guest speaker for the Tripoli Rocketry Association's annual meeting.

Chandler was selected to speak at the event because of the close partnership the Center for Engineering Outreach has with the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

Tripoli Rocketry Association is an international organization that governs amateur rocketry. The organization boasts members in not only ever state, but also Canada, Mexico and eighteen other countries.

Since 2003, Texas Tech has worked with the organization to develop classroom curriculum and teacher training workshops for K-12 schools. The partnership resulted in a highly successful rocketry program at Estacado High School’s Pre-college Engineering Academy.

In addition, the Center for Engineering Outreach partnered with Tripoli Rocketry Association to develop an advanced rocketry workshop focused on Tripoli Level I and II certification for K-12 teachers. The innovative workshop was developed and taught by Pat Gordzelik, vice president of Tripoli Rocketry Association.

Chandler’s remarks highlighted the partnership with Tripoli Rocketry Association and discussed the importance of providing K-12 engineering outreach opportunities for today’s students.

“Right now, the U.S. faces a shortage of engineering graduates to work in our technical workforce,” Chandler remarked. “That’s why it’s so important that we continue to find new ways to get kids interested in engineering, math, science and technology.”

“There’s nothing as exciting as watching a rocket launch,” continued Chandler. “Tripoli has a lot to offer K-12 students and I encourage this organization to continue to find ways to partner with higher education institutions like Texas Tech to inspire tomorrow’s engineers.”

Over 300 people were on hand for the evening’s event which was capstone to a weekend of activities known to Tripoli Rocketry Association members as LDRS – Large Dangerous Rocket Ships.

Hosted annually, LDRS is just what the name describes - four days of large-scale, experimental rockets that test the limits of amateur rocketry. The event serves as the national launch of the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

What began as an event designed to bring together the organization’s wide-spread membership for an annual meeting has evolved into what organizers have billed ‘the greatest rocketry show on Earth.’

This year’s 25th anniversary event was celebrated on the panhandle plains of Wayside, Texas, with more than 30 experimental launches during the six-day event. The event was hosted by Potrocs, the regional prefecture of Tripoli Rocketry Association headquartered in Amarillo.