Moon Day celebrates the Apollo 11 landing anniversary and showcases the past, present, and future of space exploration. This STEM event with many different activities is supported by the North Texas Section with our own activities including the Flight Test Range. Among several different speakers, the keynote will feature retired NASA astronaut Carl Walz. Please contact us to volunteer.
Hosted by the AIAA North Texas Section.
In this seminar, Ivett Leyva, Ph.D., P.E. will describe her remarkable career journey, which has led her to study various fluid mechanics problems, as well as the challenges and rewards of holding management and leadership positions. She will discuss topics related to preventing rocket explosions, including the construction of hazardous facilities for testing rocket propulsion and enhancing the scientific understanding of hypersonic flight. Leyva will also share insights from two hypersonic flight experiments she initiated at the Air Force, along with the portfolio she managed. Finally, she will conclude with her experiences as department head and her current efforts to establish a new research enterprise aimed at addressing applied research challenges from industry while tailoring graduates to meet industry needs.
The Mary Jackson Named Lecture is given in honor of Mary Jackson (1921–2005), who became the first black female aerospace engineer at NASA in 1958. The lecture is jointly sponsored by the Royal Aeronautical Society and AIAA.
Ivett A. Leyva, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Dean for Research, Fort Worth Campus, College of Engineering. Arthur McFarland Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M Fort Worth
2026 East Coast Space Settlement Design Competition High School students join 25-person teams that function as mock aerospace companies. Guided by mentors from the space industry, each team responds to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) by developing and presenting a comprehensive 30-minute design proposal to a panel of judges with real-world engineering experience. The top-scoring team earns the opportunity to advance to the International Finals held at the Disney & the Kennedy Space Center, where they’ll compete with winners from around the globe. Last year the East Coast Students were on the winning international team!
High School Freshmen – Senior: Bring your pen, notebook, Chromebook and charger.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Check-In Breakfast: 7:15 – 8:00 a.m. ET
Closing Ceremony: 8:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Registration Fee:
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For Engineer’s Week, AIAA, IEEE, and SAE are coming together for a meet and greet networking event at Centerpoint Brewery!
Cost:
Showcasing the accomplishments and progress of aerospace engineering in the states North and South Carolina. Open to professionals, educators, students and retirees with an interest in aerospace.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Reception: 6–7 p.m.
Dinner: 7:15–10 p.m.
If you would like to sit with a newly inducted Fellow, please send your request to Patricia Carr by 25 April 2026.
Honorary Fellow is the highest distinction conferred by AIAA, and recognizes preeminent individuals who have had long and highly contributory careers in aerospace and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics.
2026 AIAA Honorary Fellows
Laura J. McGill, Sandia National Laboratories
Daniel J. Scheeres, University of Colorado Boulder
Steven H. Walker, Lockheed Martin Corporation (retired)
AIAA confers the distinction of Fellow upon individuals in recognition of their notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences or technology of aeronautics and astronautics.
Registration Not Yet Open Learn More
The objective of the AIAA Southern California Aerospace Systems and Technology (SoCal ASAT) Conference is to bring together seasoned and new engineers, researchers, leaders, managers, academia and students, and provide a forum to exchange new ideas, review achievements, and chart a new course for aerospace in the local area. The AIAA Orange County and San Gabriel Valley Sections will highlight their activities during the past year during the included luncheon. Members, as well as non-members, are welcome.
Southern California has had a rich history of leadership and innovation in the aerospace industry. Many aircraft, spacecraft, missile, and space exploration programs were conceived and executed here within a several mile radius of each other. The amount of talent, experience, and expertise that resides in the area is immeasurable. However, the nature, landscape, and focus of the local aerospace industry are rapidly changing. The objective of the AIAA Southern California Aerospace Systems and Technology (SoCal ASAT) Conference is to bring together seasoned and new engineers, researchers, leaders, managers, academia, and students and provide a forum to exchange new ideas, review achievements, and chart a new course for aerospace in the local area. Come share your expertise and insights with other local professionals and tap this unprecedented resource.
STEM Knight brings students, families, and community partners together for an evening of exploration and discovery! Volunteering deadline due 11/12th to [email protected].
There will be:
The American Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket competition, has engaged over 100,000 middle and high school students in model rocketry. The challenge provides a yearlong opportunity to gain hands-on engineering experience by designing, building, testing, and launching model rockets to meet rigorous requirements. The program fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as students deepen their interest and passion for aerospace and STEM.
The Top 100 teams are invited to compete at National Finals for a share in $100k in awards and the chance to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge at the Farnborough or Paris Air Show.
National Finals is open to the public and is an opportunity for aerospace enthusiasts and families to see these young innovators in action, connect with aerospace organizations, and join in some hands-on fun.
Over 25 aircraft engines and large scale models of aircraft are on display – representing 100 years of technology. Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust is providing a tour to AIAA-Indiana of this historic collection of aerospace artifacts. Parking Available but carpool recommended.