Lunch and Learn at China Garden Buffet: STEM Educational Outreach through Advanced Rocketry Projects

When:  Jun 16, 2023 from 11:45 to 13:00 (ET)
Associated with  Dayton/Cincinnati Section

Abstract: Since its inception, AIAA has impacted countless students and educators through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational outreach.  These aerospace educational outreach programs span from the National level to individual chapters, and often involve collaboration with other professional organizations.  As science and technology professionals, our STEM outreach efforts allow us to “Pay Forward” to the next generation of scientists and engineers.  Amateur rocketry, to include sport rocketry and high power rocketry, are extremely effective teaching tools.  The focus of the speakers’ presentations will focus on highly successful national and local STEM outreach efforts through the use of advanced rocketry projects with students at the K-12 and collegiate levels.

Biography: Mr. Ron Stauffer is a Government and Industry certified professional with over 38 years of experience in program management and systems engineering, with focus on the development of aviation/aerospace systems and information systems. He held numerous supervisory and leadership positions at team, organization, and site levels.  Ron has over 30 years of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce development & education experience in policy development, curriculum development, instruction, and as event organizer/volunteer.  Ron retired from the Air Force in July 2022 as the Deputy Chief at the AFRL Sensors Directorate's Sensors Plans and Advanced Programs Division.  He is currently an active member of the National Association of Rocketry and the local NAR club, Wright Stuff Rocketeers, with a High Power Level 2 certification.

Biography: Rick Wills retired as a research engineer for the US Air Force Civil Service in 2017.  His last assignment was with the Fuels & Energy Branch, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. His line of research is thermal environments found in high-speed propulsion. Rick has worked for 35 years in Air Force systems acquisition and research. His work in acquisition includes Air Force One, the CV-22, and the C-17. His first research assignment was as a high-speed propulsion test engineer where he conducted experiments on hypersonic and ducted rocket components. He is a member of both NAR and Tripoli.  He is one of the longest serving judges at the Spaceport America Cup.  He also has a liquid propellant test stand where he static firings bi propellant rocket engine

Location

China Garden Buffet
112 Woodman Dr.
Dayton, OH 45431

Contact

Troy Hoeger
17574345873
tchoeger@earthlink.net