AAPS sponsors STEM event at Polly Crockett

  • Published
  • By Shawn Jacobs
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Volunteers from the Arnold Association of Professional Societies (AAPS) at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), along with University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) students, sponsored a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) booth Sept. 17 at the Polly Crockett Festival in Cowan.

Using a straw missile launcher provided by AEDC Public Affairs, more than 170 students from pre-school through high school participated in the "Build Your Own Rocket" booth, an education experience introducing them to the basics of rocket science and the scientific method for conducting experiments.

"The straw rocket exercise provides an excellent hands-on lesson in thrust, gravity and drag," according to AAPS President Bob Lindeman, technical fellow for the Instrumentation, Data, Control and Automation Center of Technical Excellence and Space Threat Assessment Testbed (STAT) system engineer. "Each participant was challenged to design and build their own straw missile with the help of mentors from AEDC, ATA [Aerospace Testing Alliance] and UTSI representing the member organizations of the AAPS."

The objective was to select launch angle and propulsion force to hit a target 25 feet away. Each rocketeer was given three attempts and allowed to make adjustments to home in on the target.

The top 13 who got closest to the target will receive gift cards totaling $500, courtesy of ATA. In addition, each participant was given their choice of a ruler, pilot dental floss or pencil provided by AEDC Public Affairs plus their custom-built straw rocket.

"With over 170 kids participating, this was a highly successful event," Lindeman said. "The interest expressed by the students and their interaction with the mentors was really impressive.

"The creativity in their designs and their quick grasp of the physics involved was a real eye opener. Activities like this can supplement the classroom learning provided by our schools and go a long way in encouraging interest in math and science."

This was the second year the AAPS had a booth at the festival, which is sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The AAPS was formed three years ago by the AEDC commander to encourage participation in technical societies by the AEDC workforce and to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Volunteers included Air Force civilians Wayne Goff, Jerry Kitchen and Mike Schleider; Doug Brown, Josh Hartman, Bob Lindeman, James Masters, Susan Rymer, Marvin Sellers, Joe Sheeley, and Phil Stich with ATA; Tim Barber, Charles Haddad, Ben Klamm, James Rogers and Rayne Sung from UTSI and Tom Best, former director of engineering and technical management at AEDC.