|
CURRENT HAPPENINGS
|
|
|
|
Greetings from 2021-2022 Chair
Welcome to a new council year of the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section! I am honored to serve the section and its members and humbled to lead alongside the truly exceptional group of professionals that make up this year's council. I look forward to a year full of meaningful activities that will continue to provide our members with the resources they need to meet their professional goals while strengthening our local communities and professional networks.
Sincerely,
Theresa Jehle
Chair, AIAA Greater Huntsville Section
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Section Goes On Ghost Walk
The AIAA Greater Huntsville Section went on a guided Ghost Walk of Downtown Huntsville on October 17th. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Ginger Barnes Speaks to Section
The AIAA Greater Huntsville section was honored to have Virginia (Ginger) Barnes speak at one of our fall professional lectures on September 21st. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
AIAA Announces Class of 2022 Associate Fellows
The grade of Associate Fellow recognizes individuals “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or who have done original work of outstanding merit, or who have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.”
Members of the Greater Huntsville Section in the 2022 class of Associate Fellows are:
Andrew M. Crocker - Dynetics (a Leidos Company)
Robert Harris - CFD Research Corporation
Jody Singer - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
George Story - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Richard E. Tuggle - PeopleTec/U.S. Army Reserve
Naveen Vetcha - Engineering, Research, and Consulting, Inc. (ERC)
John Vickers - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Congratulations to these members on their recognition.
Click here to see the AIAA press release naming all new Associate Fellows.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
AIAA Returns to the 2021 Space & Missile Defense Symposium
The Greater Huntsville Section returned as an on-site exhibitor for the 2021 Space & Missile Defense Symposium from August 10 – 12, 2021 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
2020-2021 Section Awards Announced
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced its 2020–2021 section awards winners. The section awards honor particularly notable achievements made by member sections in a range of activities that help fulfill the Institute’s mission. Section awards are given annually in five categories based on the size of each section’s membership. The Greater Huntsville section is in the Very Large category.
The Greater Huntsville Section received the following awards for 2020-21:
Outstanding Section Award: Second Place
Communications Award: Second Place
Membership Award: Third Place
Public Policy Award: First Place
STEM K-12 Award: Second Place (Tie)
Outstanding Activity Award: Honorable Mention
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
August Lecture with Dr. Kimberly Robinson
The Greater Huntsville Section rebooted its monthly professional lecture series on August 19th with an event at InnerSpace Brewery. The event, which commemorated Women’s Equality Day, featured Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO of the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
2021 Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon
The Greater Huntsville Section participated in the 2021 Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon at the Von Braun Center on August 4. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Greater Huntsville Section at AirVenture 2021
Section members attended the world’s largest aviation gathering, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 25 - 31. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
 
|
|
Recipients of 2020 and 2021 Sackheim Scholarships Announced
The recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Robert L. Sackheim Engineering, Science, & Math Scholarships are Matthew William Hill and Zachary Barbre, respectively. The $1000 scholarships are given in memory of Bob Sackheim ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Alabama Quiz Bowl State Championships
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Greater Huntsville Section (AIAA GHS) recently partnered with the Alabama Scholastic Competition Association (ASCA) to help save the State Championships for Alabama Academic Quiz Bowl from inevitable cancellation during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIAA GHS did this by hosting the two large, traditionally in-person tournaments — one for middle school and one for high school — through Zoom sessions and Buzzin.live, an online buzzer system. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
AIAA GHS 2020 & 2021 Annual Award Recipients
Each year the Greater Huntsville Section solicits nominations for its Section awards. These awards are a wonderful way to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of colleagues and co-workers. The Section received several qualified nominations for the 2021 Annual Awards. The Honors and Awards Committee headed by the Honors and Awards Director, Chip Kopicz, appointed a team of judges who evaluated the nominations and selected the 2021 award recipients.
The award recipients will be recognized at the GHS Annual Council Installation and Awards Dinner which we hope to organize this fall. Due to the pandemic last year, the 2020 Award Dinner event was cancelled and the 2020 award recipients will also be recognized at this year's awards dinner event.
We proudly announce the recipients of the 2020 and 2021 AIAA GHS Annual Awards:
1) The Hermann Oberth Award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding individual scientific achievement in the field of astronautics or for the promotion and advancement of the aeronautical sciences. A bust of Professor Hermann Oberth and a framed certificate are presented to the recipient.
2020 Recipient - Phil Ligrani
2021 Recipient - Paul Gradl
2) The Holger Toftoy Award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding technical management in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics. An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient.
2020 Recipient - Mark Miller
2021 Recipient - Andy Johnston
3) The Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year Award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding service to education and promotion of math and science within the community. The award is named in recognition of Konrad Dannenberg, a German-American rocket pioneer who was an avid proponent of education, an active member of the AIAA and an inspiration to the aerospace community.
2020 Recipient - Tom Hannigan
2021 Recipient - Sherrie Frady
4) The Martin Schilling Award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding service to the Section, such as major contributions to its growth, technical programs, or administrative functions. The award is named for the Section's founding president, Dr. Martin Schilling.
2020 Recipient - Greg Simpson
2021 Recipient - Nishanth Goli
5) The Earl Pearce Professional of the Year Award is presented to a Section member in recognition of extraordinary dedication, creativity, and leadership while engaged in professional work or activity within the aerospace community. The award is named in recognition of Earl Pearce who was on the Section's Board of Directors and served as Supernumerary for many years. An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient.
2020 Recipient - Sami Habchi
2021 Recipient - John A. Blevins
6) The Ed Pruett Young Professional of the Year Award is presented to a Section member of 35 years of age or younger who has demonstrated extraordinary technical skill and dedication in the practice of the Aerospace Engineering profession. The award is named in recognition of Ed Pruett who was on the Section Board of Directors and served the Section for many years. An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient.
2020 Recipient - Dr. Matthew Hitt
2021 Recipient - Tyler Lamb
7) The Student of the Year Award (undergraduate) is presented to a Section undergraduate student member in recognition of notable technical accomplishments, active engineering research, outstanding service to AIAA student section, or active STEM outreach in the local community. An engraved plaque is presented to the recipient.
2020 Recipient - Anna Grace Miller
2021 Recipient - Darcey D'Amato
8) The Student of the Year Award (graduate) is presented to a Section graduate student member in recognition of notable technical accomplishments, active engineering research, outstanding service to AIAA student section, or active STEM outreach in the local community.
2020 Recipient - Tim Marquardt
2021 Recipient - Saroj Kumar
Congratulations to the Section's 2020 and 2021 Award Recipients
*****************************************************
|
|
Announcement of the Section's 2021-2022 Officers and Directors
Chair: Ms. Theresa Jehle
Vice-Chair: Ms. Tracie Prater
Secretary: Mr. Stephen Hayden
Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Huwaldt
Vice-Chair, Mobile: Open
Immediate Past Chair: Mr. Nishanth Goli
Education Director: Mr. Sean M. Kenny
Honors and Awards Director: Mr. Chip Kopicz
Pre-College Outreach Director: Ms. Robin Osborn
Marketing Director: Mr. Alex Vasenkov
Membership Director: Dr. Paul P. Palies
Liaison to Student Branches: Dr. Gabe Xu
Young Professionals Director: Ms. Lindsey Blair
Special Projects Director: Mr. Brandon Stiltner
Public Policy Director: Dr. Naveen Vetcha
Liaison to Professional Societies: Ms. April Potter
Webmaster: Dr. Arloe Mayne
(All but Mr. Kopicz, Mr. Vasenkov, Dr. Palies, Dr. Xu, Ms. Blair, Dr. Vetcha, and Dr. Mayne were elected to their positions this year)
*****************************************************
|
|
Webinars Available for Viewing
In this 2-hour seminar held on April 14th, three researchers in the field of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology development discuss their past and current research. Click to learn about and access the webinar.
The AIAA GHS celebrated Women's Heritage Month 2021 on March 31st by hosting a talk with the section's first chairwoman, Wanda G. Reece. Click to learn about and access the webinar.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Congressional Visits 2021
During the week of March 15th Section members from Alabama and Mississippi participated in the Institute’s first ever virtual Congressional Visits meetings. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
2020 Ornament Placed on Chamber of Commerce Tree
The Greater Huntsville Section continued its tradition of hanging a unique AIAA ornament on the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas tree despite the COVID-19 pandemic. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Section Volunteers at Galaxy of Lights
Despite the turmoil of a pandemic, the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section continued its holiday tradition of volunteering at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens’ Galaxy of Lights in 2020. ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
Read about the Section's 2019-2020 Activities in the Section Award Report
Click here to download the Section's 2019-2020 Section Award Report.
The Section Award Report includes worksheets describing our activities in Programs, Management, Communications, Membership, Career & Professional Development, Young Professionals, Technical Activities, Honors and Awards, Public Policy, Section - Student Partnership, STEM K-12, and Outstanding Activity. This information is the basis for the selection of AIAA's annual section awards.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Bero, Gifted Specialist at Horizon Elementary School in Madison, Alabama
Honored for Efforts to Promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
(Adapted from an AIAA Press Release)
Three K–12 educators from across the United States have won the 2020 AIAA Educator Achievement Awards, honoring their efforts to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. “Now more than ever, we understand the life-changing work teachers do every day,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “How teachers ground students while inspiring them to reach for more. AIAA honors and supports teachers because we know they make all the difference in creating a better tomorrow. Congratulations, Elizabeth Bero, Beth Leavitt, and Scott McComb! You inspire us!” This year’s honorees each received $5,000 for themselves and $5,000 for their respective schools to continue their efforts in STEM education.
The winners of the AIAA Educator Achievement Award are: Elizabeth Bero, Gifted Specialist at Horizon Elementary School in Madison, Alabama, for “instilling a sense of wonder in students through curiosity-based learning and for her four-decade-long service to the community as an educator.”; Beth Meade Leavitt, Teacher of Physics and Astronomy and Director of FIRST Robotics Team 283 at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, South Carolina; and Scott McComb, Science Instructor, AIAA Advisor, Green Energy Team Advisor, and Science Olympiad Coach at Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle, Washington”.
Established in 1997, the AIAA Educator Achievement Award recognizes K–12 educators for outstanding contributions to the continued study of STEM subjects among America’s youth. Each of these teachers has had a significant impact on creating the next generation of aerospace professionals who will shape our community’s future. Since 1997, the award has honored more than 65 educators from the United States.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
AIAA Birthday Cake
The Greater Huntsville Section celebrated the 57th anniversary of the founding of the AIAA at a birthday social on January 30 ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Legislative Update
Members of the Greater Huntsville Section attended the Alabama Legislative Update breakfast on January 24, 2020 at the Jackson Center in Huntsville ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
|
|
Educator Associate Describes AIAA Resources for Teachers
Section Educator Associate member Beth Bero recently shared the wealth of AIAA Lesson Plans ... more
Click here to see Table of Contents for all eMag articles.
*****************************************************
|
|
Initial Group of Memorial Bricks at US Space and Rocket Center
|
|
Memorial Bricks Program
In 2017 the Greater Huntsville Section of the AIAA instituted a program to honor deceased Section members by placing a memorial brick in the Saturn courtyard outside the Davidson Center when a member dies. The initial group of memorial bricks is shown in the picture above. Given that the current cost of such a brick is $150, this program is beyond the Section's ordinary budget. For this reason, funds are solicited to allow us to continue honoring our deceased members with these memorials. To make a donation in support of the memorial bricks program please go to http://www.hsv-aiaa-events.org/MemorialBricks.html. All donations will be used to support the Section's program for providing memorial bricks at the US Space and Rocket Center for deceased members, so please be generous with your support.
*****************************************************
|