Teachers Take Flight at UCCS AIAA Aerospace Workshop

By Lynnane George, UCCS Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Classrooms where only theory is taught took a back seat to wind tunnels, gliders, and hands-on discovery as 25 middle and high school teachers. The group gathered at UCCS on Saturday, April 18 for an immersive Aerospace Workshop, “From Runway to Orbit: Teaching the Science of Flight and Space.” The workshop was hosted by Dr. Lynnane George, faculty advisor for the UCCS AIAA student chapter, and AIAA students from the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and Physics.

The event was held in partnership with Peak Area Leadership in Science (PALS), a Colorado Springs–based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening science education by connecting teachers with professional development, classroom resources, and real-world STEM experiences. Through programs like this, PALS helps educators bring more engaging, inquiry-based learning into their classrooms.

The workshop transformed campus labs into hubs of curiosity, giving educators a firsthand look at how aerospace concepts can come alive for students. The day launched with high-energy demonstrations led by Physics Ph.D. candidate Thomas Stroup, graduate student advisor for the AIAA student branch and AIAA student member and MAE senior Bryce Strange, including a crowd-favorite leaf blower experiment. Teachers also toured the MAE wind tunnel and Space Systems Laboratories, connecting theory to real-world applications.

Hands-on learning took center stage as participants designed and built their own Nighthawk gliders, experiencing the same trial-and-error process their students will encounter back in their own classrooms. During lunch, Trip Carter, Vice President of Capture at Lockheed Martin, served as keynote speaker, highlighting the wide range of opportunities in aerospace and reinforcing that the field is accessible to all.

In the afternoon, Dr. George led demonstrations focused on motion and forces in space systems, using engaging, easy-to-replicate activities, including a water balloon drop that sparked lively discussion. The workshop concluded with a spirited glider competition, where teachers tested their designs for distance, flight time, and creativity.

Participants left with renewed energy and practical ideas to inspire their students. One teacher noted, “The content was accessible and interesting,” while another shared, “I enjoyed the easy demos that can be implemented in a classroom.”

Thomas Stroup added, “While interacting with students is fun in itself, getting this opportunity to stand in front of those who direct student learning…is also outstandingly fun and inspiring.”

Peak Area Leadership in Science Middle and High School Teachers at UCCS