AIAA Section Awards
STEM K-12 Outreach Award 2012-2013
_________________________________________________________________
Section name: Tucson
Name of Person submitting: Mike E. Wethington/Tia Burley
Section size Category: Medium
Section Officer Position: Pre-college Outreach
The Harry Staubs STEM K-12 Outreach Award is presented to sections that have developed
and implemented an outstanding STEM K-12 Outreach program that meets the strategic
goals of the AIAA:

Increase educator associate members by 30% and educator conference attendance
by 100%; substantially expand online K-12 materials. Western Region goal is 30%
increase on a section-by-section basis.

Educator recognition goals: Significantly expand the recognition of teachers
throughout the educational system for efforts contributing to a stronger aerospace
workforce.

Increase the number of actively engaged members to over 65% of the total, up from
about a third today.
Thus, sections are encouraged to provide quality educational resources for K-12 teachers
and students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is based
on these goals and objectives that the Harry Staubs STEM K-12 Outreach Award is
presented to the sections.
Educator Associates:
# of Educator Associates as of date of report: 61
Please detail any teacher recognition that the section has participated in. Examples: AIAA
Foundation Educator Achievement Award nomination, local teacher of the year, section
award, special service citations.
We nominated Dr. Frank for the Educator of the Year Award in September 2012. Dr. Frank did not win the award but his nomination was mentioned in our newsletter. Please detail any K-12 educator professional development opportunities that the section
has participated in. These could include teacher workshops, special dinner meetings, tours,
hosting training for competitions, trade show booths. Note: the section can be participating
in events hosted by other groups.
Please list your section’s member participation in competitions and programs as coaches,
mentors, judges, hosts of local events. These could include FIRST, FLL, Conrad
Foundation, Project Lead the Way, Real World Design Challenge, Space Settlement Design ,
Future Cities , local and national science fairs as examples.
While the section does not directly organize member participation in competitions, many members
are active participants. Events where section members volunteered in the past year include local
school science fairs, the Southern Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF), FIRST
robotics, tutoring elementary school students in math, speaking at school career fairs and events,
organizing an event for local Boys and Girls participants, and acting as merit badge counselors at
Raytheon’s Scouts Day, plus others.
Please list any STEM education activities where section members got involved in a section
activity for the first time (or nearly first time).
For our Kids Clubs events, AIAA student members from the UofA organized an in depth tour of the
engineer building and lab where they perform experiments and tests. The Kids Club students
were very interested in all the test and lab equipment the UofA students were able to work with.
Support of AIAA Signature STEM K-12 events:
Did your section host and act as the lead sponsor of any STEM K-12 events that are publically
marketed as AIAA brand events?
All of our Kids Club events are marketing as AIAA brand events.
Has the section participated in Engineers as Educators Workshop?
No.
Have you identified a local educator that can be trained to be a local resource for this training?
No.
Please detail any innovative local programs that have worked for your section.
Our signature program is Kids Club, which has been in existence for more than 8 years.
This year, we had two professional engineers from Raytheon lead Kids Club: Tia Burley and Mike
Wethington. This was Tia’s first year helping with Kids Club, which was exciting for both the
Leadership Council and the kids, since new ideas were brought to the sessions. This arrangement
achieved the perfect balance of engineering knowledge and teaching. Again, this year, we
partnered with the Lunar and Planetary Lab facility on the campus of the University of Arizona, in
association with the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, to bring this award winning program to
elementary school children from the Tucson region. The Arizona Space Grant Consortium
arranged for the Kids Club sessions to be held (at no cost to AIAA) in the Kuiper Sciences Building
at the University of Arizona. This in itself was very generous and allowed us to keep our
enrollment fees low.
Our tri-fold brochure was updated from last year to reflect new events this year, including our dates
and fees (Figure 2.). The flyer was distributed to teachers, the UofA and at Raytheon Missile
Systems. The tri-fold was also e-mailed to prospective students’ families.
This year, we had a wide range of kids in attendance, from various levels of performing public
schools, charter schools and home school kids. We have never had to do much formal publicity for
the program...a few emails to the school boards, our membership lists, the local Girl Scout office,
and past participants, and the program is full within a week of opening registration. We increased
our enrollment from 11 kids last year to over 33 this year with a mix of genders and backgrounds.
We keep the price very low, at $45 dollars per child, with a discount for more than one child
enrolled from a particular family. This enrollment fee covers all 8 Kids Club sessions, snacks,
entrance fees to parks or museums, an individualized t-shirt, book, and all materials.
Figure 1. AIAA Kids Club 2012-2013 Personalized T-shirts
Figure 2. Kids Club 2012-2013 Tri-fold brochure
October: Rocketry - Build and Launch
T
he kick-off session in October was an exciting one for both the children, as well as the
parents. Southern Arizona Rocketry Association member and Raytheon Missile Systems
engineer, Steve Lubliner, led the children through an interactive history lesson of the space
program. During this part of the session the children were very engaged and asking lots of
questions. Surprisingly, many already seemed to be very familiar with the history of rocketry. After
the introductory history lesson, we moved on to the rocket assembly process. Each child was
provided with their own model rocket kit. Step by step the children were led through the assembly
procedure. At each point along the way, the different parts of the rocket and its individual function
were carefully explained. Each child successfully completed their build.
During a short break, the launch pads
were set up in the field outside of the
classroom, at the University of Arizona's
Rincon Vista Sports Complex. At this
point, the parents begin to return, so that
they could witness their children launch
their individual rockets. The children were
in awe as they watched their rockets soar
through the air. Each and every launched
rocket was recovered, with the exception of
one student. No one goes home empty
handed, though. Steve Lubliner gladly
provided a fully assembled rocket to the
one student whose rocket was lost in a
nearby tree. This experience opened the
children's eyes to what they can actually
build with their own two hands, other types
of rocket designs, and the benefits of the
design of many of our modern day rockets.
Figure 3. Kids Club October 2012 - Rocketry
November: Pima Air and Space Museum
F
or our November session, the kids and volunteers all met at the Pima Air and Space
Museum, the largest privately funded Air and Space Museum in the country. There, we
participated in their “Soaring Saturdays” program where we were able to build simple rubber
band propeller airplanes.
The
presenters led the class through
simple aeronautic concepts such as
“thrust” and “drag”. At the end of the
airplane building, the kids were able
to test out their airplanes for a while
before we embarked on our
scavenger hunt.
During the
scavenger hunt, each kid was given
a list of objects to discover and
identify throughout the museum. All
the items were related to different
types of planes and helicopters
housed within the museum.
Figure 4. Kids Club November 2012 – Pima Air and Space Museum
December: Fun with Fractals and Intro to Flight
T
he Math with Fractals session was one that we were thinking that the material may be a little
too advanced for the age range
of the students in our Kids
Club.
However, Former NASA
scientist and current Raytheon Missile
System's
Aerodynamicist,
Anton
Vanderwyst and his associate were
able to present the material in a
format that was easily consumed by
2nd-6th graders. The session began
with an in-depth look into what a
fractal is and where they can be found
existing in nature. The children were
very eager to drive the fractal
simulation that was part of the
session. The lecture combined with
the simulation provided the children
with a great deal of knowledge about fractals and how they are used in science.
T
he second half of the session was dedicated to designing, building, and flying paper
airplanes. This was an individual project, where each child was able to compete their
airplanes, against one another. While they were building their paper planes, we were
teaching
them
the
importance of the control
surfaces on the airplane.
They were to modify those
surfaces in order to extend
the range of their planes.
The kids were enjoying this
session so much, that we
winded up going over the
allotted time by 20 mins.
One lucky student was
granted the opportunity to
take the master plane home,
which was 3 times the size of
the ones that they were
creating themselves.
Figure 5. Kids Club December 2012 – Fractal and Intro to Flight
January: University of Arizona AIAA Student Member Engineering Lab Tour, Flight
Simulation, and Parachute Egg Drop
I
n January, six AIAA student
members from the University
of Arizona were kind enough
to organize an in-depth tour of the
UofA Aerospace and Mechanical
Engineering (AME) building and
lab where classes are held and a
number of labs are located. The
Kids
Club
students
were
fascinated by the various types of
test equipment available for
utilization by the UofA students.
The UofA students allowed the
kids to experiment on their flight simulators using multiple computers. The kids were then split up
into 5 teams to devise an object that would house an egg that needed to survive a 3 story plunge
from the AME suspended walkway. Each team was provided with the same limited amount of
materials and design/manufacture time. Most of the groups were successful, but not all. The
teams with whose eggs survived the drop won a special prize at the end of the competition.
Figure 6. Kids Club January 2013 – UofA Engineering Lab Tour
February: Flandreau Science Center and Planetarium
T
he science center is always a great place to explore. They offer so many rare science
collections that we could not have a session dedicated to the exploration of the Flandrau
Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Arizona. We were given the rare
opportunity to be a part of a special weekend where the Planetarium was demoing a brand new
projection system.
This system
allowed a much more realistic
interaction with space bodies and a
much more up close and personal
experience with the worlds around us.
The children were amazed at the level
of detail of the heavens that could
easily be view with this projection
system. There was a great deal of
hands-on learning throughout the
science center with many exhibits and
experiments related to comets,
asteroids, meteors, and Arizona's Sky Islands, which
details information about the habitat of several
different species that call Arizona's Sky Island their
home.
The children also learned about rock
formations, rocks and minerals, China's 4 greatest
inventions, water infiltration systems, how scientist
date trees, space missions, volcanoes, marine
biology, and much more. This session provided
information on a variety of science subjects that held
the children's interests, as they talked about it
throughout the entire year.
Figure 7. Kids Club February 2013 – Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center
March: "Tear it Apart", a Lesson in Optical Design
I
n March, Professor Nofziger and an
assistant from the University of Arizona
College of Optical Sciences hosted our kids
club event. During the initial portion of the
session, we were given a presentation on the
technology and design behind both CDs and
CD players. Many of the kids asked very good
questions and even Dr. Nofziger was
impressed with their knowledge. Following the
presentation and a short snack break, each kid
was provided (courtesy of the college) a real
CD player taken from a computer. They were
encouraged to dismantle the CD player using
the various tools provided in the optics lab. This was quite an endeavor for some of the kids as
most of the CD players were never meant to be taken apart. The kids were encouraged to ask
questions on the different mechanical and electrical components that made up the player. Some of
the braver kids even tried to put back together! After the disassembly (and some assembly) the
kids were allowed to take their CD player home.
Figure 8. Kids Club March 2013 - Optics
April: Aviation Art
M
ichelle Rouch, a Raytheon Missile Systems Engineering and nationally recognized selftaught artist with over 30 years of art experience in architecture, marine, aviation and
astronomical subjects, led the children
through a Kids Club session focused on using
art to express their creativity in aircraft design.
Coupling these two areas of expertise, the
Aviation Art session prepares the students for a
life in the world of an engineer, by organizing
the children into groups, with assigned roles,
deadlines, project creep, and a final
deliverable.
Each team had a program
manager and chief engineer, and was directed
to use the four forces of flight to design an
aircraft.
The children were continually
reminded to pay attention to their deadlines
and requirements. At the end of the
session each team had to present
their completed project to their clients,
the rest of the Kids Club and the
parents. The Kids Club artwork was
displayed at this year's AIAA DBF,
Design Build Fly, competition in
Tucson. After which, it was to go on
permanent loan at the Pima County
Juvenile Justice Hall to be displayed in
the Judge's chambers, with the hopes
that it will inspire juveniles to channel
their energy into a more positive
outlets.
We have found that the
creativity stimulated by art improves the outcome of the science projects produced by the children.
Through Michelle and this session, we have been able to incorporate STEAM; Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, into our AIAA Kids Club program.
Figure 9. Kids Club April 2013 – Aviation Art
May: Zoology at Reid Park
I
n May, the kids braved the start of the Tucson
summer to join us for our final Kids Club
session of the year. This event was held a
the Reid Park Zoo, which is accreditted by the
Association of Zoos and Acquariums. In the first
half of the session, we were treated to the “Live
Animal Encounter”, where we learned about
lizards, hedgehogs and other animals and how
they eat, sleep and survived in the Arizona
desert. We even were able to touch both the
lizard and the hedgehog, which was a treat. The
kids were inquisitive and asked a number of
questions of the educator. Following the Animal
Encounter, we were given a special tour of the
Zoo kitchen facilities where we learned how the
staff creates meals and treats for each of the
animals in the zoo. Although the animals are not
in the wilde, we learned that the zoo staff strives
to keep the animal instincts sharp by providing
their meals to them in ways similar to what they
would see in the wild. For instance, a Jaguar’s
meal is provided to them within a coconut, in
order to resemble the skull of their prey. During
the last part of the session, the kids completed a
scavenger hunt, allowing them to explore the zoo
and learn about the numberous within.
B
ecause it was our last Kids Club, we surprised the kids with goodie bags containing a
science project book, a personalized Kids Club t-shirt, a balsa wood airplane, and various
other goodies. We strived to ensure that the kids would remember the year they spent
learning and encourage future learning through STEM activities. Overall, it was a wonderfully
successful year!
Figure 10. Kids Club May 2013 – Zoology
Other Section Supported Events
The Tucson AIAA session supports many STEM related events throughout the year, in addition to
the Kids Club. Inspiring our young people to be interested in the sciences is essential. Therefore,
we find participating in STEM events to be of the upmost importance.
Event Name: Scout's Day at Raytheon Missile Systems
Date: February 2nd, 2013
Event Type: STEM
Attendance: 23 students, 5 professional members, 1 educator associate and 7 non-members.
Focus: K-12, specifically Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and American Heritage Girls.
Description: For the second year in a row, Tucson AIAA has hosted the Aviation Merit Badge
segment of Raytheon's annual Scout's Day. The Tucson section supplies the programming,
volunteers and materials for this daylong event, during which each scout completes all the
requirements for the aviation merit badge. Sessions held during the day include basics of aviation,
flight instruments, flight simulator and airport basics, as well as some hands-on activities.
Raytheon supplements these activities with tours of several labs and facilities at RMS.
Publicity: Volunteers were called for through section email. The event was publicized by
Raytheon, as well as the local Boy and Girl Scout Councils.
Event Name: Family Night at the Planetarium
Date: March 2013
Event Type: STEM
Attendance: 12 students, 1 professional member, 10 non-members.
Focus: K-12, General Public.
Description: Pima Air and Space Museum partnered with the Flandrau Planetarium at the
University of Arizona as well as several local science and engineering groups to host a free night
at the planetarium. Tucson AIAA had a table with information about AIAA, as well as activities for
the students, including building foam gliders and air & space connect-the-dots.
Publicity: This event was publicized through section email, as well as heavily promoted by the
Pima Air and Space Museum.
Event Name: Expanding Your Horizons Conference
Date: April 6th, 2013
Event Type: STEM
Attendance: 5 students and 1 professional member.
Focus: 6-8 Grade Girls
Description: Expanding Your Horizons is a national program to introduce middle school girls to
fields involving math, science and engineering. This was the first year the program was held in
Sahuarita, AZ. One session was held with students to talk to them about aerospace engineering
and its applications to many different fields. The session was finished up with a parachute building
competition.
Publicity: This event was publicized by the organizers, which included the Green Valley Branch of
the American Association of University Women, Sahuarita Unified School District, and Continental
School District.
Event Name: Career Day at Continental Elementary School
Date: May 3rd, 2013
Event Type: STEM
Attendance: 40 students, 2 professional members, and 1 teacher.
Focus: 4th graders
Description: For the second year in a row, two section members went to Continental Elementary
School in Green Valley, AZ, to speak to students about aerospace engineering and its many
applications. Students also had the opportunity to build and test foam gliders.
Publicity: This event was publicized mainly through the Continental School District.
Event Name: Imagine Engineering Camp
Date: May 29th, 2013
Event Type: STEM
Attendance: 44 students, 1 professional member and 5 non-members
Focus: Grades 3-6, specifically girls and Girl Scouts.
Description: The Girl Scouts Council of Southern Arizona held a three day Imagine Engineering
camp in Douglas, AZ. The section was contacted and asked to provide an aerospace related
session for the day. One member spent the day in Douglas teaching the girls about aerospace
engineering, through three sessions involving a discussion about engineering, its applications, and
a parachute building competition.
Publicity: This event was publicized by the Girl Scout Council.
Event Name: Art Project Display
Date: April 2013
Event Type: STEAM
Attendance: N/A
Focus: N/A
Description: Raytheon Tucson Management Council invited IAAA artists to display artwork at
Raytheon Missile Systems. Michelle coordinated with local IAAA artists to display astronomical
artwork for the month of April. Raytheon employees positively commented on the art.
Publicity: Raytheon Missile Systems Employees and Visitors
Event Name: Elementary School Aviation Artwork
Date: April 26, 2013
Event Type: STEAM
Attendance: 30
Focus: 4th Grade
Description: On 26 April, 2013, Miller Elementary School, 4th Grade teacher, JeanMarie Himes
invited Michelle to speak to her class on aviation artwork. She provided reproductions images of
the Tuskegee Airmen, and explained perseverance. Interestingly enough, the 4th grade teacher
used the word "Perseverance" in the morning as the word of the day. The explanation of the
history of the Tuskegee Airmen with her artwork helped reinforce the kids understanding of
“Perseverance." Later that month, she received a stack of Thank You letters for all the kids!
Publicity: Miller Elementary School parents and teachers
Figure 11. Call to Duty
Event Name: 6th Annual Engineering Art Project
Date: April 2013
Event Type: STEAM
Attendance: 30 students, 3 professional member and 3 non-members
Focus: Grades 2-6, AIAA Kids Club.
Description: Michelle Rouch conducted the 6th Annual Engineering/Art Project and had the
artwork displayed at DBF. Most importantly is the AIAA Executive Director saw it and understood
that art is used as a tool to communicate technology to kids.
Publicity: ASAA AeroBrush Magazine, AIAA DBF, and Pima County Juvenile Hall
Figure 12. Kids Club April 2013 - Aviation Art Display - AIAA DBF
Figure 13. Kids Club April 2013 - Aviation Art Display - AeroBrush Magazine
Kids Club Session Information Flyers (2012-2013)
Figure 14. Kids Club Flyers: October 2012 to January 2013
Figure 25. Kids Club Flyers: February 2013 to May 2013