Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

EAA WOMEN SOAR – YOU SOAR
Dr. Lee J. Siudzinski
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
AEROSPACE OUTREACH PROGRAM 2008 – 2009
SYNOPIS: The Experiment Aircraft Association, Inc. (EAA) used their annual Fly-in,
(AirVenture) attended by over 700,000 aviation enthusiasts, to help spark women’s interest in
STEM content through aviation. The EAA Women Soar – You Soar Conference was held July
26 – 28, 2009 for high school age girls in grades 9 – 12. The event was attended by over 100
girls and held both at the EAA grounds, Whitman Airport, and the University of Wisconsin,
Oshkosh.
PROGRAM DETAILS: During the EAA AirVenture the girls participated in various hands-on
workshops, air show viewing with MIT and Embry Riddle performers, and mentor sessions. The
activities included building and designing their own aircraft, investigating the first supersonic
flight, understanding basic flight controls, weather and flight planning, aviation science and
space careers in the 22nd century, the challenge of aerospace engineering and maintenance,
building a glider to better understand control surfaces, and presentations by the Milwaukee
School of Engineering.
The girls also had an opportunity to walk around and discuss aircraft of women air show
performers, fly in a Ford Tri-motor aircraft, build a wing rib, experience the ropes low challenge
course, complete flight simulation exercises, and participate in KidVenture. (KidVenture is a
series of hands-on aviation learning activities attended by over 10,000 young people during the
week long fly-in) The program concluded with a final program and presentation of various
scholarship awards and recognitions.
EVALUATION: Follow-up evaluation with participants, mentors, presenters and parents who
accompanied the young women, resulted in positive comments and appreciation for making this
experience possible.
A special thanks and acknowledgement to the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium for their
generous financial support that helped make this annual event possible.
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