Region VI STEM Elishka Jepson Deputy Director for STEM K-12 Feb 27, 2016

2 Topics STEM Standing Committee AIAA STEM Website Region VI STEM handbook New STEM Outreach Forum: Comic Cons

3 STEM K-12 Standing Committee and Working Groups AIAA has put created a STEM K-12 Outreach Standing Committee to “ foster engaging, interactive, “hands-on” teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for students in grades K-12, and to generate technical excellence and interest in pursuing aerospace related careers to fulfill future workforce needs. ” The committee is made up of working groups to address different aspects of this mission.  I’ve been involved in the Best Practices and Section Engagement groups. A survey went out to sections in the fall asking section STEM officers about their programs, and what they knew about the AIAA STEM programs  About 50% of survey respondents did not know anything about AIAA’s STEM programs (Educator Academy, Engineers as Educators, etc.)  Part of the problem mentioned by those that did know about the programs was where to find information on them.

4 AIAA’s New STEM Website To help alleviate this, a new STEM website was put created that has all of AIAA’s STEM resources in one spot. Check it out and pass it on: Includes:  Aerospace Micro-Lessons:  Educator Associates sign-up:  AIAA Foundation Classroom grants:  Educator Academy:  Careers in Aerospace PDF:  Educational Resources for Teachers, Students, Parents & Engineers:

5 STEM Handbook As another way to help officers, I am assembling a STEM handbook (as mentioned at the last RAC meeting) Section STEM officers filled out forms with details and instructions for successful STEM events  Form included Activity/Event Title, Description of Activity/Event, Duration, Prep Time, and Supplies Needed  Pretty much everything needed for another section to run the same event In the process of compiling events into handbook for section STEM officers Also including other useful information, such as:  Descriptions of AIAA STEM programs (Engineers as Educators, Educator Academy)  Links to AIAA STEM information (Kids page, Educator Associate information, etc.)  Links to organizations to partner with for offering STEM activities (Boy/Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brother Big Sisters, etc.)

6 New STEM Forum Outreach: Comic Cons One of the Tucson section officers, Michelle Rouch, is very active in the Aerospace & Societies TC. Michelle reached out to the organizers of Phoenix Comic Con (PCC) to see if they would be interested in allowing AIAA to have a booth at the upcoming convention in June. The organizers are very interested in increasing their science-related offerings, and are eager for AIAA to participate and help them develop aerospace/science related programming. About Phoenix Comic Con  Guests and programming covers comics, sci-fi/fantasy, film/television, and more  Operating since 2002  Last year’s attendance: 75,000

7 New STEM Forum Outreach: Comic Cons Met with PCC programming manager and guest relations manager on 2/26 – they will provide AIAA with a free 10’ x 10’ booth, approx passes for volunteers, and space to do the straw rocket activity from the Engineers as Educators program  Will be requesting Cat III funding for straw rocket materials – will work up cost estimate in following weeks.  Is there AIAA booth “decorations” available that could be used? Next week, will contact Phoenix section to see if their members would be interested in volunteering (will also ask Tucson members, and even So. California members if they’re interested…) PCC would like recommendations on aerospace/science speakers for a panel discussion  We provide introductions, PCC would work out details (fees, lodging, etc.)

8 New STEM Forum Outreach: Comic Cons Bottom line: This is a great opportunity to reach out to students, and potential new members, that AIAA has not taken advantage of much in the past There are many comic cons around the country – lessons learned at PCC could be shared across regions and sections to give AIAA one more avenue for STEM outreach, as well as membership recruitment.

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