STEM Takes Flight: UCCS AIAA Inspires the Next Generation at Wings Over the Rockies

On Saturday, June 14, the UCCS American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student chapter and the UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science hosted an activity booth at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. 

They were there to support the second annual Air N Space-A-Palooza, a large free “immersive day of discovery,” where attendees explored STEM opportunities around space careers, organized by the Aerospace Colorado sector partnership.

Over 1,300 people joined the event for an interactive day featuring hands-on STEM activities. As part of the UCCS AIAA team, science teacher and aerospace pathway lead at Colorado Springs School of Technology, Caleb Ulliman said, “We love connecting with families through hands-on science demonstrations that spark interest and curiosity!” 

Led by faculty advisor and Associate Professor of Teaching Dr. Lynnane George of the UCCS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and AIAA student chapter Faculty Advisor, the activity group included Ullman, Jaxon Fellers, an Aerospace Engineering undergraduate student and AIAA Club Treasurer, and Thomas Stroup, a Physics Ph.D. candidate.

Fellers was just as excited as the attendees. He said, “watching the kids’ faces light up as they grasp how flywheels store and release energy was the best part of the day. It’s incredible to see them connect mechanical engineering concepts to real-world applications—and have fun doing it!”

The team is always excited to share their love of space and science with others. “It was quite rewarding to see the wow in the eyes of the kids, and even some adults, too. It’s this awesome sense of wonder that drives the future of society,” said Stroup, who is also the Graduate Student Advisor for the AIAA club.

The team demonstrated aerospace principles involving robots, small rocket launches, gyroscopes, CubeSats, and provided other demonstrations for the attendees, who were mostly families with K-12 children.

“It was so satisfying seeing the kids’ faces light up while participating in demonstrations and learning about aerospace principles,” said George.

Megan Zoller, Career and Industry Program Director for the UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science, headed up the college’s information table to talk about the college and its students, and the many degree offerings. She said, “Connecting with families and potential future UCCS students was a wonderful opportunity to let them know about all the potential educational pathways at UCCS and the amazing achievements of our students, particularly in space-affiliated programs, like aerospace engineering.”