Tag: Dan Dumbacher

AIAA Announces Recipients of 2023 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. The four $10,000 scholarships have been awarded to the following high school seniors:

Lydia Ames of Nolensville, Tennessee
Attends: Nolensville High School
Samannita Mukherjee of Floral Park, New York
Attends: Floral Park Memorial High School
Anna Phan of Cypress, Texas
Attends: Cypress Woods High School
Valeria Santoyo of South Gate, California
Attends: Saint Joseph High School

Read their full profiles on the AIAA website.

The 2023 Kahn Scholarship recipients will be recognized during the AIAA Awards Gala, Thursday, 18 May, at The John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Tickets for the AIAA Awards Gala are available now. Each of the recipients also will be matched with an AIAA professional member as a mentor who will help guide them on their career path as part of the popular AIAA Mentor Match program.

The Roger W. Kahn Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Roger Kahn (1907–1962) and his passion for aviation and entertainment. Kahn spent the latter part of his career at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation as a test pilot and then managed the technical service and sales division. In the 1940s, Kahn was actively involved with the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (one of the predecessor organizations of AIAA) and later served as its vice president. Kahn also was an accomplished jazz musician as early as the 1920s, composing songs often featured in stage productions and early films, as well as leading numerous orchestras. He became a recording artist for some of the first record labels including Victor, Brunswick, and Columbia.

“AIAA is pleased to honor the memory of Roger W. Kahn with a scholarship supporting the next generation of the aerospace profession. Kahn’s legacy of aviation enthusiasm and accomplishment began nearly 100 years ago and will remain relevant in the next 100 years of aviation and aerospace innovation,” commented AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher. “We are thrilled to award the Kahn Scholarship again this year. We can’t wait to see how these four incredible students shape the future of aerospace!”

AIAA introduced its High School Student Membership in 2021 as part of its commitment to becoming a vital lifelong link for student to access reliable resources and growth opportunities. AIAA high school members also have access to the Mentor Match program, the Daily Launch newsletter, and webinars and on-demand content, as well as the exclusive Engage community platform to communicate and network with peers around the globe.

Basil Hassan, chair of the AIAA Foundation, added, “AIAA is honored by Roger W. Kahn’s gift to AIAA as a powerful investment in students. The AIAA Foundation is pleased to use part of this gift to help identify, mentor, and promote promising young aerospace talent. It’s especially exciting to support high school seniors at this early stage of their journey from classroom to career.”

Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

ASCENDxTexas to Focus on Breaking Barriers and Accelerating the Space Ecosystem

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced the program for its collaborative event focused on pathways for our success – ASCENDxTexas – 29–30 March, South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, Houston, Texas. With the space ecosystem and activities increasing exponentially, this event brings together key global stakeholders in Texas who will share how they’re accelerating our progress toward a sustainable off-world future.

Registration for ASCENDxTexas is open. Journalists who wish to cover this event can request a Press Pass here.

Vanessa Wyche, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center, and member of the ASCEND Guiding Coalition, will deliver opening remarks. The event will feature a keynote address, “Sustaining the Momentum,” by Kathryn Lueders, Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA. Lueders will focus on defining the next steps to remove barriers and expand on the approaches for success. As innovation and markets evolve continuously, she will discuss how we can keep the momentum going and ensure progress for the whole space ecosystem.

The event also will feature a keynote address entitled, “Charge to Move Forward,” by Michael Gazarik, Vice President, Engineering, Ball Aerospace, and member of the ASCEND Guiding Coalition. He will discuss how we take lessons learned to move toward the future, without inhibiting our potential, and how we let go of the past that’s holding us back.

The ASCENDxTexas program features a diverse group of visionaries and leaders. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Stephen Altemus, President and CEO, Intuitive Machines
Ian Christensen, Director, Private Sector Programs, Secure World Foundation
Steve Cook, President, Dynetics
Erin Defossé, COO, Slingshot Aerospace
Dan Dumbacher, Executive Director, AIAA
Angela Hart, Manager, Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, NASA
Andy Hines, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Foresight, University of Houston
Jason Kalirai, Mission Area Executive for Civil Space, Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Catherine Koerner, Deputy Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA
Kathy Laurini, Human Space Exploration Strategy, Dynetics
Christian Maender, Executive Vice President, In-Space Solutions, Axiom
Todd May, Senior Vice President, Science and Space, KBR
Nujoud Merancy, Strategy and Architecture Lead, NASA
Carie Mullins, Director, Analytics, BryceTech
Kirk Shireman, Vice President, Lunar Exploration Campaign, Lockheed Martin
Charles Stegemoeller, Director, NASA Business Development and Capture Management, Leidos
Dan Tani, Director, Business Development Operations, Human Exploration and Operations, Northrop Grumman
Julie Van Kleeck, Space Domain Lead and ASCEND Executive Producer, AIAA

“We are excited to return to Space City with ASCENDxTexas for a second year,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher. “This unique event gives the ASCEND community another opportunity to come together to gain insights on the latest strategies and opportunities for success in both the current global market and our future in space. We look forward to welcoming space industry leaders to learn about new players and partners, identify solutions to barriers, and see how commercialization supports future space capabilities.”

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About ASCEND
Powered by AIAA, ASCEND, which stands for Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery, is the world’s premier collaborative, outcomes-driven, interdisciplinary community designed to accelerate the building of our off-world future. For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces 2023 Premier Award Winners

Aerospace’s Best and Brightest to be Honored at AIAA Awards Gala

February 13, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of its most prestigious awards, the AIAA Premier Awards, recognizing the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades. A new award – the AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence – was added in 2023 in order to celebrate a unique program or mission in the aerospace community deserving timely recognition.

Presentation of the 2023 AIAA Premier Awards and recognition of the Institute’s Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows will take place at the AIAA Awards Gala, Thursday, 18 May, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. Tickets are available now.

“Congratulations to our premier award winners,” said AIAA President Laura McGill. “We are inspired by their hard work and achievements, and we thank them for their dedication to the aerospace industry. AIAA is committed to ensuring that aerospace professionals are recognized and celebrated for their innovations and discoveries that make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.”

The winners are:

AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence – Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Team, NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

AIAA Public Service Award – Bill Nye, The Planetary Society

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award – John S. Langford III, Electra.Aero

AIAA Distinguished Service Award – David R. Riley, Boeing Research & Technology (retired)

AIAA International Cooperation Award – Vincent A. Orlando, MIT Lincoln Laboratory

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award – Alison A. Nordt, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award – Charlie Atkinson, Jennifer Love-Pruitt, Michael T. Menzel, and Lee D. Feinberg, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Northrop Grumman Team – James Webb Space Telescope

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award – Phillip J. Ansell, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Award Citations

AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence
This award honors a unique achievement by a group or team in the aerospace community that is shaping the future of aerospace and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in aerospace. The award is designed for timely recognition of a recent program or mission.

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Team

, honored “In recognition of humanity’s first time purposely changing the motion of a celestial object by a team of protectors of our home planet.” Accepting the award on behalf of the DART team: Jeremy John, JHUAPL, and Lindley Johnson, NASA.

AIAA Public Service Award
The award honors a person who has demonstrated sustained and visible support for aviation and space goals.

Bill Nye,

The Planetary Society, honored “For demonstrating sustained and visible support for aviation and space goals through popular media outreach.”

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award
The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievements in the field of aeronautics. The award is named after Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, aeronautical engineer, designer, and founding member of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences in 1932.

John S. Langford III,

Electra.Aero, honored “For exemplary achievement as an outstanding aeronautical engineer, visionary leadership in the development of autonomous flight, and relentless advocacy of the future aerospace workforce.”

AIAA Distinguished Service Award
AIAA recognizes an individual member who has provided distinguished service to the Institute over a period of years.

David R. Riley

, Boeing Research & Technology (retired), honored “In recognition of over four decades of dedicated leadership and service to AIAA at the section, region, national, and international levels.”

AIAA International Cooperation Award
The award is presented to a member who has made a recent individual contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant accomplishment or event worthy of AIAA’s national or international recognition.

Vincent A. Orlando,

MIT Lincoln Laboratory, honored “For over 40 years of sustained technical innovation, standards development, and international harmonization of aviation surveillance system technology.”

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award
The award is presented to a member of the Institute who has made a recent individual, technical contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant technical accomplishment.

Alison A. Nordt,

Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, honored “For exceptional engineering and technical leadership in the development of the Near Infrared Camera critical to the success of the James Webb Space Telescope.”

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award
The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievement in the field of astronautics. It was endowed by Mrs. Goddard in the 1940s as the ARS Goddard Memorial Award to commemorate her husband, Robert H. Goddard—rocket visionary, pioneer, bold experimentalist, and superb engineer whose early liquid rocket engine launches set the stage for the development of astronautics.

Charlie Atkinson, Jennifer Love-Pruitt, Michael T. Menzel, and Lee D. Feinberg,

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Northrop Grumman Team – James Webb Space Telescope, honored “For delivering groundbreaking engineering performance for the James Webb Space Telescope, to advance the study of every phase of cosmic history.”

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award
The award is presented for a notable contribution made by a young person, age 35 or under, to the advancement of aeronautics or astronautics. This award honors Lawrence B. Sperry, pioneer aviator and inventor, who died in 1923 in a forced landing while attempting a flight across the English Channel.

Phillip J. Ansell,

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, honored “For outstanding contributions to electrified aircraft technologies and pioneering work toward sustainable aviation.”

*Please note that this event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

AIAA Announces its Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

Three Honorary Fellows and 28 Fellows Elected

February 13, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The three new Honorary Fellows and 28 new Fellows will be inducted at a ceremony on Wednesday, 17 May, in Arlington, Virginia. AIAA will celebrate the new Honorary Fellows and Fellows during the AIAA Awards Gala, Thursday, 18 May, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. Tickets for the AIAA Awards Gala are available now.

“The Class of 2023 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows are among the best minds in the aerospace profession. I commend each member of this year’s Class for their many accomplishments,” said Laura McGill, AIAA President. “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and gratitude of our broad science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions to advance the performance and capability of aerospace systems.”

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. In 1933, Orville Wright became the first AIAA Honorary Fellow. Today, AIAA Honorary Fellows and AIAA Fellows are the most respected names in the aerospace industry.

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. Nominees are AIAA Associate Fellows. Since the inception of this honor, 2,036 distinguished persons have been elected as a Fellow.

“AIAA takes great pride in honoring the Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. These professionals have made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace community. Their passion and dedication are inspiring the generations that follow to reach even greater heights,” added Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director.

For more information on the AIAA Honors Program, AIAA Honorary Fellows, or AIAA Fellows, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

2023 AIAA Honorary Fellows
Mark Drela, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
James G. Maser, Aerojet Rocketdyne
William A. Sirignano, University of California, Irvine

2023 AIAA Fellows
Behçet Açıkmeşe, University of Washington
Steven J. Beresh, Sandia National Laboratories
Charles F. Bolden Jr., The Charles F. Bolden Group
Helmut Ciezki, DLR – German Aerospace Center
Capt. Meredith B. Colket III, Combustion Consulting Services, LLC, United Technologies Research Center (retired)
Daniel DeLaurentis, Purdue University
Christopher D’Souza, NASA Johnson Space Center
Ismet Gursul, University of Bath
Kauser S. Imtiaz, NASA
R. Steven Justice, The Ginn Group
Raymond M. Kolonay, Air Force Research Laboratory
Rodney Makoske, Lockheed Martin
Jill Marlowe, NASA
Pamela Melroy, NASA
David G. Mitchell, Mitchell Aerospace Research
Eugene Morelli, NASA Langley Research Center
Scott E. Palo, University of Colorado Boulder
Surendra Sharma, NASA Ames Research Center
Robert T.-I. Shin, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Rickey J. Shyne, NASA Glenn Research Center
Leena Singh, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Michael Sinnett, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Lawrence W. Stephens, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Mitchell L.R. Walker II, Georgia Institute of Technology
Brian L. Wardle, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael E. White, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
Michael Winter, Pratt & Whitney
Thomas H. Zurbuchen, NASA (retired)

*Please note that this event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

AIAA Charters New Section in Melbourne, Australia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2023 – National Harbor, Maryland – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce it has chartered a new section in Melbourne, Australia. The AIAA Council of Directors approved the addition at its meeting during the 2023 AIAA SciTech Forum in National Harbor, Maryland. The Melbourne Section is located in AIAA Region VII and includes AIAA members living in Victoria and Tasmania. This new section joins the Sydney and Adelaide Sections in Australia.

The addition of this new section brings the global total of AIAA sections to 57, in seven regions. Sections are led by AIAA members who volunteer to organize and offer technical programs, networking, educational opportunities, and other activities tailored to local aerospace professionals, students, and educators.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Melbourne Section to AIAA! Chartering a new AIAA section is an effort led by local AIAA members stepping up as leaders to create events and activities to serve their local membership and provide value to the aerospace community in their area. We look forward to seeing how this section continues shaping the future of aerospace,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher.

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Releases Implementation Paper on Digital Twins in Aerospace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Collaboration with AIA and NAFEMS Advocates for Industry Adoption

January 26, 2023 – National Harbor, Maryland – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today released an implementation paper to advance the use of Digital Twins across the aerospace industry at the 2023 AIAA SciTech Forum. The paper, “Digital Twin: Reference Model, Realizations & Recommendations,” is a collaboration with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), and the Americas Regional Steering Committee of the International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Community (NAFEMS). The paper is available for download on the AIAA website.

“Digital transformation is the fourth industrial revolution. The aerospace industry needs to accelerate its adoption and realization of Digital Twins to achieve the value and benefits from this technology advancement,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher.

Co-authors John F. Matlik, Engineering Digital Transformation Lead, Rolls-Royce Defense, and Olivia J. Pinon Fischer, Senior Research Engineer and Division Chief – Digital Engineering Division, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology,
discussed the paper during forum this week in National Harbor, Maryland. During the session entitled, Digital Twin and Digital Thread Integration, they shared the specific next steps toward Digital Twin implementation advocated for in the paper:

Create and/or leverage an existing Aerospace Digital Transformation Consortium (ADTC) that will champion and coordinate implementation and consistency management efforts across industry, academia, and government.
Launch an initial pathfinder effort on Joint All Domain Command & Control (JADC2).

The AIAA Digital Engineering Integration Committee authored the paper, with approval from the AIAA Public Policy Committee. In addition, substantial contributions were made by The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Patterns Working Group, and The Digital Twin Consortium, a community of the Object Management Group (OMG).

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

AIAA Statement on the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate Northrop Grumman, its industry partners, and the U.S. Air Force on unveiling the B-21 Raider. We join in the excitement around seeing this new military aircraft for the first time.

We applaud the entire team on building the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft designed to support national security objectives and assure the nation’s allies and partners. In addition, we are inspired by the aircraft name, in honor of the Doolittle Raid of World War II and the courageous spirit of the Doolittle Raiders.

We salute the thousands of industry professionals nationwide who are involved in the B-21 Raider for shaping the future of aerospace.”

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Aviation Week Network Checks in with AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher

Aviation Week Network checked in with AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher for a status report on existential threats to the planet and the strategies — both underway and in development — required to mitigate climate change and, yes — save the planet.
Full Story (Aviation Week Network)
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How Can the Aerospace and Defense Industry Better Respond to the Workforce Challenges of Today, while Preparing for the Future?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New AIA, AIAA and EY data shows lingering effects of pandemic, the Great Resignation, and employee engagement on A&D companies

October 19, 2022 – Arlington, Va. – The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today released the 2022 Aerospace & Defense Workforce Study, conducted in collaboration with Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). This year’s survey, which includes analysis from over 30 aerospace and defense (A&D) companies representing about 850,000 employees globally, highlights the talent challenges they seek to address and benchmarks the industry’s ongoing efforts to meet workforce demand.

“The aerospace and defense industry relies on a vibrant highly skilled workforce to maintain our competitive edge. On the heels of the pandemic and the Great Resignation, the industry has had to rethink its approach to recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest,” said Eric Fanning, President and CEO of AIA. “Our annual workforce survey shows that our industry continues building on innovative strategies to navigate the talent challenges they face today and provides actionable data-driven insights to support and develop the workforce of tomorrow.”

Key findings include:

Employee retention is a growing challenge – Overall turnover across the A&D industry, amid an already tight labor market, rose to 7.1% in 2022 from 5.7% last year. Not only has inflation increased supply chain and operating costs, but it has also driven employees’ desire for wage increases. Seventy-eight percent of responding companies cited employees seeking opportunities for higher pay as a primary cause of higher attrition.
Companies are meeting employees’ wishes for more opportunity and more flexible work models – Despite operations that are not always compatible with remote work, 65% of A&D organizations reported the successful use of flexible work options for employees, such as hybrid models, four-day workweeks and staggered hours.
Demographic diversity is trending upward as industry prioritizes DEI – In 2022, the A&D industry saw incremental improvement in representation across all racial and ethnic identities, as well as from women. Companies are leveraging efforts such as employee resource groups, pay-gap reporting and cultural month celebrations to appeal to potential employees, engage diverse populations and improve workplace culture.
Organizations are beginning to focus on developing the workforce of today and tomorrow – A&D companies are exploring ways to build a strong talent pipeline by collaborating with educational institutions, investing in youth and next-generation education, and creating hands-on internship and leadership programs. At the same time, they are equipping current employees with the skills needed now by increasing access to learning and development opportunities, particularly for key technical competencies such as cybersecurity and data analytics – and finding success.

“While it’s no surprise that the sector is feeling the headwinds from talent shortage, I see this as an opportune time for companies to turbocharge their talent transformation efforts to address the immediate challenge while building the workforce of the future,” said Raman Ram, EY Americas Aerospace & Defense Leader. “Building a dynamic workforce through re-skilling and education investments will allow the industry to meet the expected surge in demand and shift in capabilities required.”

“The A&D industry has made progress implementing impactful talent strategies, starting from the ground up,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director. “Through this study, we can see where meaningful action has influenced the future of the aerospace and defense workforce. We believe the study’s findings will help employers across the industry continue to make the needed innovative and progressive steps forward.”

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with AIA and AIAA on this annual study, and we are thrilled to see how the research will be used to enhance digital transformation and workforce development across this critical industry,” said Steve Fuller, Partner, People Advisory Services, EY US.

About AIA
For over 100 years, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has been the voice of the American aerospace and defense industry. Our work as an advocate and convener is essential to shaping policy, shedding light on the industry’s impact and empowering its future. Our CEO-level officers from across our more than 300 member companies guide these efforts, strengthening the industry’s ability to effectively support America’s national security and economy. Together, we advocate for effective federal investments; accelerated deployment of innovative technologies; policies that enhance our global competitiveness; and recruitment and retention efforts that support a capable and diverse 21st century workforce.

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visitaiaa.org or follow AIAA onTwitter,Facebook,LinkedIn and Instagram.

EY | Building a better working world

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

Exploration Generation Unveils New Rocketry-Themed Storyline Unit for Middle School Educators Nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free Instructional Materials Utilize the Excitement of Rocketry to Drive Student Engagement While Providing Equitable STEM Experiences in the Classroom

October 18, 2022 – Arlington, Va. Exploration Generation (ExGen), co-founded by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Estes Industries, and NSTA, today unveiled its new rocketry-themed middle-level unit for educators. Designed for grades 6-8, the ExGen Model Rocket Safety Storyline Unit is available now, free of charge, at https://www.nsta.org/exploration-generation.

The storyline unit, which consists of seven unique NSTA Daily Do lesson plans, puts middle school students at the center of learning to investigate an anchoring phenomenon–successful and unsuccessful model rocket flights–while exploring science concepts including forces and motion, and chemical reactions. Designed to continually spark curiosity and prompt questions from students, the unit helps educators provide a more collaborative learning experience where ideas are accessible and engaging for all students.

“AIAA recognizes that our nation’s educators are key to preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Dan Dumbacher, executive director, AIAA. “We are excited about taking this next step in the ExGen program – getting more materials into the hands of educators to do what they do best – inspire!”

AIAA, Estes, and NSTA joined forces to launch the ExGen program earlier this year to directly address the need for a more diverse and robust STEM-literate workforce, particularly in the aerospace and defense industry. ExGen provides K-12 educators with engaging, classroom-ready lessons and resources to help immerse students in real-life applications of STEM while exploring various concepts in aerospace, engineering, and rocketry.

Next week, the new instructional unit and recently launched ExGen Model Rocketry Forces Playlist will be featured at a special session during the 2022 ASCEND, apex event in Las Vegas and online. During the session, aerospace industry professionals and space enthusiasts will learn about the importance of phenomena-based, equitable STEM K-12 educational experiences. Through hands-on engagement, they will experience what it’s like to learn in today’s classroom to better support K-12 workforce development initiatives.

“We need to bridge the gap between what is happening in the classroom and the needs of the STEM workforce. This is crucial to the success of students and the future of our nation’s aerospace initiatives,” said Nicole Bayeur, director of education, Estes. “Through events like ASCEND, doors can be opened to get K-12 education into the conversation as we think about the development of our future leaders.”

On November 9 at 7 p.m. (EST), middle school educators can join a free web seminar, Exploration Generation: Sensemaking in Rocketry, in conjunction with the release of the new materials. In addition to learning about the resources, participants will discover how using a sensemaking approach to teach model rocketry can help to inspire students to pursue careers in aerospace and STEM.

“The best foundation for successful science learning is a phenomena-based approach, in which student thinking and sensemaking drive the questions. Providing students the opportunity to build their ideas through experiences bridges their initial perceptions to scientific understanding, which helps them make relevant, lasting connections between science and their everyday lives,” said Erika Shugart, Ph.D., executive director, NSTA. “The amazing ExGen rocketry-themed resources provided through this collaboration help middle school teachers deliver authentic, highly engaging learning experiences that motivate students to explore beyond the classroom.”

This year, five $1,500 grants will be given to educators or administrators at Title 1 schools to fund engaging and inclusive STEM and aerospace-related projects. Applications for the AIAA Exploration Generation Title I Grants are being accepted through October 31 at https://edu.estesrockets.com/grants/aiaa-grant/.

ExGen will continue its expansion, offering additional resources for elementary and high school educators in 2023 and 2024. To access ExGen’s free instructional materials, rocketry basics, safety resources, and funding opportunities, visit https://www.nsta.org/exploration-generation.

Contacts
Rebecca Gray, AIAA, [email protected], 804-397-5270
Michelle Passey, Estes Industries, [email protected], 719-372-2098
Kate Falk, NSTA, [email protected], 703-312-9211

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Estes Industries
Estes Industries was founded in 1958 by Vern and Gleda Estes and found a home soon after in Penrose, Colorado (the model rocket capital of the world). Through more than six decades of hard work and innovation, Estes has grown to be the leading manufacturer of model rocket engines, kits and accessories. As of April 2018, Estes Industries is once again a family-run business, committed to enabling safe, successful flights for customers everywhere.

Estes is committed to delivering interdisciplinary STEM resources and tools to educators that give them the skills and confidence necessary to elevate learning. Estes has been a leader in STEM education for 63 years, reaching 500,000 students annually. To learn more about Estes Industries, LLC please visit www.estesrockets.com.

About NSTA
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org or follow NSTA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.