District X
Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
We have a wealth of educational events, programs, and outreach activities going on, and clubs should be continually looking at what members can be doing to bring our hobby to youth—whether they are young and might have an interest in aviation and sparking interests, or are college-level students aiming for careers in aviation and engineering. All of this comes in the form of STEM programs that might be community-based, local school-centered, or national programs.
The Imaginology event has grown from the original Youth Expo in Orange County, California, and provides an opportunity for children, teens, families, and school groups to dig into various STEM activities. Joni Whitsitt has coordinated and led the aviation activities for many years with the help of the Harbor Soaring Society and others. There are building activities, flight simulators, flight demonstrations, educational materials, and presentations centered around aviation.
Five members of the Reno Radio Control Club, in Reno, Nevada, gave a presentation on model aviation to two classes of sixth and seventh grade STEM students at the Sky Ranch Middle School
in Sparks, Nevada. Club members Dan Mitchell, Tom White, Mel Qualey, Jim Richardson, and Randy Connors gave two 50-minute programs. There were roughly 60 students in attendance.
With nine models on display, the club members offered information about the differences between engines and motors, how servos worked, and how airplanes fly. The school’s mascot is a P-47 Thunderbolt, so Mel brought his 1/5-scale P-47 Thunderbolt to show the students what their mascot really looked like.
The AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition was held in Wichita, Kansas, this year. Here, we have one of my local universities that tested at the Orange County Modelers flying field then traveled to Wichita for this year’s competition. Next year, the competition will return to Tucson, Arizona.
If your club conducts or supports any STEM activities, events, or community outreach events, let me know.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, recommendations, or issues. There is much to share across the district.
Enjoy everything you build and fly.
