The Avion Special Issue Fall 2023/Spring 2024

Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 Special Issue

CELEBRATING STUDENT LIFE AT EMBRY-RIDDLE

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE 06

NAVY ROTC FALL LEADERSHIP EXERCISES

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BEHIND THE CAR: TORSTEN GROSS

Have you ever wondered what does the NROTC

Meet the founder of Just Hands, an organization

unit get up to throughout the semester?

that works to normalize hand controls in the motorsports comunity.

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DIVING TO NEW DEPTHS

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Take a look inside the Autonomous Maritime

Continuining the sereis and reflecting on the

Robatics Association (AMRA).

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OFF WITH A BANG

A REFLECTION ON A LETTER HOME first semester of a college student

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THE LIFE WE PLAY

ERFSEDS has been busy testing its fourth in-

Meet Naomi, an Astronomy and Astrophysics

house manufactured solid rocote motor. See

major who also shares the importance of music

what else they are doing.

in a STEM dominated university.

FULL COVER COLLAGE: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST YEAR This does not encapsulate all of highlights from this past semester however it points to share the diverse nature of ERAU as well as some awsome events that took place.

DESIGNED BY COLIN DAILY (@colinfd25)

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ARTICLE BY SARAH AMES AND JACOB RAINERSON PHOTOS BY ANDREW HARKER / Editor-in-Chief DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Copy Editor

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The Autonomous Maritime Robotics Association (AMRA) is an undergraduate project-based club on the Daytona Beach campus, focusing on building and developing primarily maritime submarines. Led by President Timothy Mascal, and funded by the College of Engineering and the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Departments, the club has two main projects, MateROV and RoboSub. While both projects are entered into similar competitions, the difference between them is that RoboSub is geared towards being completely autonomous, meaning it can function independently without student interference. It can adapt to its surroundings based on a complex software system. In contrast, MateROV is controlled by a student team via remote control. Garrett Lynn, a MateROV team member, recalls that the project so far has been rebuilt every year, and hopes the club is able to for years to come. He says, “It’s really fun because we get to build a whole new submarine from the ground up…there’s no pre-existing project to build off of…it’s 100% our design.” Lynn describes that the MateROV competition is typically geared toward being “more like the real world, like commercial solutions for problems such as coral reefs and undersea pipes and undersea wiring. Things like repairing that stuff, and hopefully sustaining our natural resources.” The RoboSub project is led by Sirio JansenSanchez, and Mark Thompson is the MateROV team lead.

Mascal, who has been a part of the club since his freshman year, has been president of the club since last year. In this role, Mascal oversees the club projects and tackles administrative work, along with the chief of operations, Emily Coello.

Although one would not think it, Mascal says the work done in AMRA is similar to concepts found in aeronautics and aerospace. Mascal explains, “Engineering is engineering… the subsea aspect can directly apply to subsea systems. It has a lot of parallels with hazardous environments, more specifically space, is what has the most association with, because the neutral buoyancy virtually mimics the effects of 0 G.” Because of this, each team looks for anyone in an engineering major to join, whether it be aerospace, electrical, software, mechanical, or any other type of engineering. Students can learn many concepts and skills from the club to help further their knowledge.

While talking with several members of the club, they all agree that the purpose of the club is not to win competitions, although they try to make it a goal, but it is to give students project experience and to teach them engineering concepts.

As Mascal puts it, “We could have all of [the executive board] do the entire project in a three-week grind and probably do a lot better in competition. But that’s not the purpose. The purpose is to make sure that the people learning, so we have to restrain ourselves.” He also says, “We hope to foster an environment of learning where even by showing up, ever so slowly, our new members become more experienced and can get involved, and then eventually they can take over as the

ones who are doing the teaching and kind of just create a cycle of people that know nothing come in. They go through their years and then they leave and they go off and do great things in the world while helping to keep the cycle going.”

Sophomores Garrett Lynn and Sirio Jansen-Sanchez are two examples of students who have risen to continue the cycle, as Mascal described. As the training officer and RoboSub team lead, they make up part of the Executive Board, or E-Board, as members of AMRA call it. Jansen-Sanchez recalls, “[Garrett and I] came here at the same time and we both got into E-Board October of our freshman year. About a month in or so into [being in AMRA] we were going to the leadership positions.” Describing what E-Board is, Jansen-Sanchez says, “E-Board is the executive board. So pretty much that’s the part of the organization that contributes with funding, organizing all our finances, getting our general outreach program set up and all that stuff.” This is assisted by the Support Team of the club, led by Coello. As Training Officer, Lynn is also a part of the Support Team, and he says that his role is to “ensure that all…members are getting good interactions with the club and everybody feels that if they come here that they’re going to have a good time and that they’re not just going to be pushed away” because they may be younger and less experienced than everyone else.

However, the club is not all about engineering and work.

Hosting frequent game and team building nights, as well as creating jokes with other members, everyone in AMRA is very close. They even bring this attitude into the projects.

Lynn remarks, “We might be putting a Wii in the sub; fun things like that we get to do because we’re completely making it from scratch.” His favorite part about being in AMRA is the community they have made. Being a self-proclaimed “nerd at heart,” Jansen-Sanchez claims his favorite part about being in the club is “being able to nerd out about the stuff I’m interested in and dig deep in it…[stuff] that I wouldn’t be able to do my own at home or in my garage, I can do here, because we have the funds for it. So, playing with these new toys that we don’t normally get access to is so much fun.”

AMRA is always looking for new members. General meetings are typically Friday nights at 6:30 p.m., with RoboSub meetings on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and MateROV meetings on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. It does not matter how much or how little experience or knowledge someone has, all they look for is those with a willingness to work together and learn. To anyone who is interested in joining, JansenSanchez says, “When people want to do something new here, we typically ask them ‘where could you do it?’ and ‘how would you implement it?’ as opposed to ‘why do we need this thing?’ At the end of the day, our goal is to teach people and have them learn, so even if it’s not the most efficient approach or adds some unnecessary complexity, it’s always nice to see where people go with these new ideas they have.

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Marilyn Espinal

Off with A Bang

The Prometheus Team’s Latest Solid Rocket Motor ARTICLE BY SAMUEL HAAS / Correspondent PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERFSEDS DESIGN BY A. AKIE OLESZEWSKI / Staff Designer

On Oct. 3, Prometheus, the solid rocket motor manufacture and test project of the Embry-Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society (ERFSEDS) successfully tested its fourth in-house manufactured solid rocket motor in the AMS test cell in the span of a calendar year. Prometheus is an entirely student-run project focused on solid rocket propulsion manufacture, testing, and improvement.

The motor tested on Oct. 3, Phantom 02, a 3-grain 54mm motor, was mixed by a team of undergraduate students during Spring 2023. Phantom 02 burns BV5, a fuel containing HTPB, aluminum, and ammonium perchlorate, among other chemicals.

During the 2.5-second burn, Phantom 02 produced a peak thrust of 130.4 lbf (580 N), delivered a total impulse of 1020 Ns, and produced a specific impulse of 193.5 seconds. The specific impulse by Phantom 02 is roughly 10% greater than commercially available high-powered rocket motors of a comparable size.

The Prometheus team plans to manufacture a motor identical to Phantom 02 and fly it on a highpowered rocket in February, qualifying its 3-grain 54mm motors for flight and enabling student projects to fly on performant student-built motors.

The ERFSEDS Prometheus Leadership team.

Test firing of the Phantom 2 motor.

Prometheus aims to scale up its motor operations in the future, allowing for the production of larger and more powerful motors. Meetings are held on Mondays at 5:45 p.m. in Lehman 130. Prometheus is on Instagram at @erfseds.prometheus.

The ERFSEDS Prometheus team posing outside the Lehman College of Engineering building.

Behind The Car: ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY JONATHAN FOJTIK / Correspondent DESIGN BY RACHAEL TRAN / Staff Designer

This year, during the 2023 Historic Sportscar Racing event at Daytona International Speedway, I had the pleasure of interviewing quadriplegic racecar driver Torsten Gross. Within the past two years, he has created and grown an organization called Just Hands, where he works to normalize the use of hand controls in the motorsports community.

The Avion (TA): How did you get into racing?

Torsten Gross (TG): Two years ago, my wife gave me a track day. I had never been on a track before; it was at Lime Rock. It was out on track, and I never looked back after that.

TA: How did you start Just Hands, or how long ago?

TG: So, about six months after I had a track day, it had such an impact on me because I’m the world’s only quadriplegic that’s a rescue scuba diver. I ski...

I do a lot of weird stuff. But none of it makes me equal to able-bodied people. Driving does, because the car doesn’t care if I’m in the chair. Nobody else knows that I’m in a chair that’s on a track, so it actually makes me equal to everybody. It’s the only sport that does and so when I figured that out, it was such a life changer for me. Then I went home to my wife and I’m like... we have to buy another race car and she’s like... no we don’t. But we eventually did because I wanted other people to experience what I get to experience.

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Cornell Chu / The Avion

r: Torsten Gross TA: Did they provide you with an adaptive car, or did you have to use your own?

TA: If you achieve that, do you feel like you would have accomplished what your company set out to do?

TG: At Lime Rock, you can actually use your own car, so I used my Audi S6, and it was heavy and not TG: Yes, if it’s about normalizing it, it just means that track prepared... no race seats. In hindsight, it was an no one’s going to think different about seats, you’re interesting experience. That’s how I got in. also thinking about hand control.

TA: What are your hopes and main goals for the company/organization you started?

TG: Our goal is to normalize hand-control driving.

What does that mean? Well, it means a couple of things. [1] One, I don’t want us to have this conversation in five years; I want this to be so normal that hand-control driving becomes just another option. Even more so, if you and I wanted to go to Sebring together and do Arrive and Drive or Lagoona, we couldn’t. You could drive, but I could not because there are no hand controls. In five to ten years, I want that to be different.

[2] Seats. If you’re too tall, they have different seats. If you’re too fat, they have different seats and different foot pedals, right. All these things could be changed out, but hand controls can be installed in one minute, and once they’re taken out, you can drive, and you could never know there were hand controls in there. It needs to be installed once, and that process takes about three hours. It’s like a seat. It takes a long time for a seat to be put in the first time, but then afterward, it’s really easy, so I want Arrive and Drive cars in Sebring and Lagoona. They already have a car at Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring Nordschleife [in Belgium and Germany] that we set up. We are only a year and a half old, so we already have cars there.

TA: What would you say to a quadriplegic or someone who uses hand controls who would say what you’re doing is crazy?

TG: Well, I think anyone who wants to get into this sport is a little crazy. Quadriplegic or not, you know it’s not the most normal thing to do, going 163 mph and hoping that your brakes work. I would say to anybody, driving or not, life is about creativity. If you want to do something, get creative and figure it out. There are two other hand-control drivers out here. We all have different hand controls, we all have different needs; figure it out, get creative.

Walking people have to get creative too - what kind of seats do you like, do you over steer or under steer - everything is exercising creativity, no matter who you are, it’s all preference. I would say the exact same thing to anybody in a chair. I’d say stop thinking about the chair and start thinking about what works for you, like anyone else would.

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I wanted to take out the second crossbar to make it easier to get in and out, and my crew chief said, “Nope, I don’t care how hard it’s going to be to get in and out, we’ll modify it for you, but it’s staying in.” A week later after it got done, I went 60 mph sideways into a concrete wall and broke my femur, three ribs, and punctured my lung. Had I not had that bar, I’d be dead. That’s because he didn’t care if I was in a chair and how hard it was for me to get in and out. He wanted to prioritize safety. I would say to anybody to build a safe car that goes fast, not a fast car that happens to be safe, because you will always run out of money trying to make a car fast, and not prioritize safety.

TA: Has the motorsports community been welcoming to all of this or has there been pushback by anyone?

TG: I’d say a majority has been very accepting. There has been a small group that wouldn’t allow me to race with them. … The group that I’m talking about...their constituents are all 65 years or older, and I’m like...if you’re going to put that on me, you better put that on every other driver too. I know for a fact I can get out [of a car] as fast, if not faster, than they can.

Groups such as HSR, International GT, IMSA, and SRO don’t care. One person who works there said, “I don’t care what color your hair is,” when I said to her, “Just so you know, I’m in a wheelchair.” It’s just as irrelevant what color my hair is, as if I’m in a chair or not, and I love that response.

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I know your home track is Lime Rock, but how’s Daytona?

TG: The banking at Daytona is surreal. I’ve never topped 160, so I think I’m at 163 and that’s interesting, because you go 163 near an immediate brake zone in turn one that adds a little shiver to you. It feels like an easy course, but it’s actually not, because you set up your car to work with the banking. What that means though, is that in the flats on the infield, your car handles weirdly. The crew chief has said, “Just so you know, you’re going to tell me multiple times that your car is broken, and I’m telling you right now that it’s not broken.”

I said, “I don’t know what you mean.” So, I went to the infield and I was thinking that this car feels broken, but it had to be set up that way.

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TG A t m r t t V n a L a t I

TA jo

TG a F I T s t b

TA: I see you have these cameras following you around, what’s that about?

TG: We have a show coming out on Amazon Prime called “Just Hands For the Love of Driving” and it’s following me into my racing career or my racing journey, where I started time trials with NASA at Watkins Glen at the beginning of the year. I then did Virginia International Raceway and now I’m doing HSR. Next, I’m doing an endurance race World Racing League at Circuit of the America in a GT4 Club Sport in three weeks. So, that’s why they’re following me and I’m pretty.

TA: Is there any way we can follow this journey?

TG: We always love people to sign up at justhands.org or follow Just Hands Foundation on Facebook or on Instagram. You can also follow me, Torsten Gross. We always try to post to show what the cars are all about, what the program is all about, and try to get better at the social stuff.

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Coming

Home...

Kayaking Trip with the people tha t took me in while I was kicked out.

Beach Day

Home,

Napkin O rigam at Dinner i

Friendsgiving 2023 Page 18

say how much I miss to st ju r te let is th ked down.

I’m writing you

alk that I never wal ew sid e th n w do ng here. you. I miss walki hit differently than ld ou w y it id m hu e th not I miss the way that fferent, too. I have di e ar e m ed nd ou rr to, though.

The people that su t, but I am starting ye s on ti ec nn co ing you made any last s, but I know that es m a of nd ki s ing th cus on my I know that I left nd just so I could fo hi be e lif a t lef I t. chwill figure it all ou h a pretty view, wat it w ow ind w a t ou ing ere, but own. I sit here, star like I would back th st ju y da ch ea t se d hat to do, or ing the sun rise an you what to think, w lls te y od ob N . re ow; he it’s different s that you need to kn ing th e th u yo lls te y e all my adwhat to say. Nobod ish that I could shar w I . ay w ur yo on at u they just set yo the same. I wish th be ’t ldn ou w st ju it t of me ventures with you, bu that I left a piece ow kn I ; re he m I’ t you to use I could be there, bu re is the memories of he ve ha I l Al e. u did er behind back th was well prepared; yo I ow kn I d. ea ah s I want in my journey that lie , just not as often as ck ba be ll I’ ow kn I but all you could, but ’s not a quick drive, It . ow kn u yo u, yo om d when to. I’m a long way fr ing will have change th no , lly fu pe ho d an nning down I’ll make it back, ughter, the people ru la d an ies or em m will of I do. The air rds, it’s something I ya eir th in ing ay pl ds e as much. I the sidewalk, the ki nnot miss being ther ca I , on w no om fr remember, but have to move on. re. other home down he an t go ve I’ at th u ll yo to live Home, I’m here to te create, and I have to d an ll te to y or to do this I’ve got another st ry far in life. I have ve ing go be ’t on t w it; otherwise, I my heart, but I can’ in u yo ve ha s ay w al I’ll thing called college. . ind have you in my m

Avion, ll 2023 semester of The Fa e th of ue iss t 1s e th From My First Letter Home

A Reflection on

A Letter Home

Home, I know you may feel lost or broken… I know that it may seem like there is no more hope left in this universe, much less your own body, but the biggest thing about feeling lost or broken is knowing that you can get right back up. My journey here was not your typical first semester of college experience. I got displaced from my dorm room for seven days due to a roommate situation. I was essentially homeless, and I lived out of a box for those seven days.

Not only was I 1000 miles away from home, but I had nowhere to go or nobody to really turn to. I had a friend who let me crash in his bed for seven days, a friend I had just begun to get to know. Now, looking back, I wonder if leaving my dorm was the right decision, and I guess I won’t really be able to know. I had to learn a lot about not only myself but also the choices that I made, which were choices that I had to live with. Trust me, if you are feeling lost or broken, I get that. I really do.

One of the biggest things throughout my series of articles was theming each one, and this one is no exception. I can’t imagine not being here at ERAU because of just how much I have really absorbed into the campus life here. Especially when we are lost, there is one thing that is for sure… .

Even when there is darkness that is just crashing all around you, even when all hope is lost, it feels good to return to a place that is just .

So, here’s a short response to my first article, my first taste of life here at Embry-Riddle, my first letter home, and how I’m coming home.

I haven’t written in a while. Things got super busy here at school. I don’t know how things are back there, but I wanted to write just a quick little note, a quick little poetic flow to add to the mix of emotions that circle around…

I’ve spent too long away, and I know that I must return. I must see the streetlights that have the wreaths on the poles; I have to see the place that I left. I have to return home.

I have to visit, and I have to find my ground both here and there. Without it, I become a lost soul looking in the reflection of a mirror, looking for my friends, looking for a letter home because without having you in the back of my mind, I can’t function. Without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I won’t go anywhere. This is why I’m coming home.

I hope all the readers have enjoyed this series, and I know that it probably hits a little bit too close to home for some of you — pun intended. But I hope that, like me, you have found solace in the community here and you have begun to see that the journey isn’t so rough and that it’s just a light at the end of a long tunnel. I hope you’ve begun to see that this, this community right here, is here for you, and it’s here to stay.

Stay safe this spring, friends, and don’t party too hard, but most importantly, find your own home away from home right here in the lovely town of Daytona Beach. I’ll be writing again soon. Until then, this is the end of this series.

El Fin.

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Strands of Life

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The Life We Play

When thinking about the students at Embry-Riddle, you often associate them with being aspiring pilots, aerospace engineers, astronauts, air traffic controllers, aviation business professionals, or even weather broadcasters. These assumptions are understandable, given the university is renowned for having an emphasis on aviation and aerospace education. However, it is noteworthy that a considerable number of students involved in piloting, innovative technology, and research are also capable of creating music. One of those students is Naomi Lee. Naomi, a freshman majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics, launched her musical journey at the age of five, initially playing the piano. However, at the age of seven, she picked up the violin, which eventually became her primary instrument.

On her journey to explore the musical world, she has participated in many musical groups. For instance, in 2013, she became a member of the Valley Youth Orchestra. Here, she not only played in many quartets and chamber groups but also mentored in the Concertino and Philharmonic groups and was the concertmaster of the Chamber group. In addition, in 2021, Naomi joined her local community orchestra, the Valley Symphony, where she was the first violinist.

When contemplating whether to continue to embark on her musical journey in university, she opted not to because she “loved the stars even more.” Despite choosing to change her course toward the stars, she is determined not to abandon her musical journey and actively integrates music into her daily life. She intends to join a community orchestra during her time in Daytona Beach and expresses an interest in participating in a campus band or orchestra if one is established. Furthermore, she emphasizes that there is rarely a moment in her day that passes without the accompaniment of music. Like many students, she listens to music through her AirPods throughout the day, whether on her way to class or while studying. If she isn’t doing that, she is either learning a new song on the guitar or practicing the violin in her room. This harmony between her celestial academic life and her musical journey is the life Naomi plays at Embry-Riddle.

The Sound of Embry-Riddle

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In 2013, Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” was at the top of the charts, “The Conjuring” had just come out, and President Obama was underway with his second term. 2013 also saw the beginning of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at Embry-Riddle (ERAU). It was founded by the first president of the chapter, Steven O’Neill, alongside his friends Jean Christian Arosemena and Esteban Sanchez. A decade later, the club is larger than ever and still embracing its core tenant, ‘SHPE is a Familia.’

Pictured left is the inaugural meeting of the newly founded Las Aguilas (The Eagles) Chapter of SHPE. In the ten years since its founding, the club has expanded in scope and in size. In fact, there are more Executive Board roles now — 15 — than members in the first meeting, giving specific positions to community outreach, volunteering work, Junior SHPE, website development, and corporate relations. With the ever-growing number of general members, the club has had to adapt to become the best version of itself.

Each year since its inception, SHPE ERAU has made the trek out to the SHPE National Conference. At Nationals, all the chapters gather for a community expo to network with companies and attend the grand hiring convention. SHPE ERAU’s first visit to Nationals had 16 members, many of whom scored interviews for fulltime positions, co-ops, and internships!

On Nov. 5, ERAU once again returned from SHPE Nationals held in Salt Lake City, Utah. This time, the story was much the same. Many of our daring, smart, and adventurous members scored positions across many fields and companies; however, approximately 60 SHPE members were able to attend this years conference…

Familia is the largest contributor to SHPE’s unbelievable success in helping its members achieve their own success. Many members jest and refer to SHPE as merely ‘friends helping friends get jobs,’ but deep down, SHPE is so much more. It’s cookouts, movies, cleaning up parks, and pool days. Those are just the things that the club gets up to officially; the friends who have met each other through the club have made lifelong bonds, and many remain friends today.

SHPE is phrases like “Website Good” and “SHPE Paga?”. SHPE is where you go on Thursdays. SHPE is where you meet your friends, classmates, study groups, and the people who will walk across the graduation stage with you. It’s the group of people who will always occupy a part of your memories of your time here at Embry-Riddle. SHPE has kept in contact with many former members, and some have chosen to write anecdotes for this article recounting their time here at SHPE. Thank you to those who wrote in.

From Angel M. Garcia, BS Aviation Maintenance Science, 2016, Worldwide MS Aeronautics, 2021 “…Opportunities at events like the conference may come out of the blue anywhere in town. So even if you’re on personal time at the conference, be courteous, play-it-smart, and trust your abilities. That impromptu event (A Calamari Calamity with some Northrop Grumman recruiters) along my future national conference attendances helped me become more confident in myself, such that that, in time, I was able to get more interviews and eventually even the career I have today.”

From Nathalie Quintero, BS Aerospace Engineering, 2015 “One of the funniest memories I have during my time as a SHPE ERAU member was when the Chapter vice president at the time, Jean Christian Arosemena, was obsessed with a song called “Epic Sax Guy” which became the core signature song for starting and ending our general board meetings. It became our song when we bought inflatable saxophones for everyone to joke around. SHPE represents a familia and community and that is very important to have as you navigate the waters of becoming a professional and throughout your career. I hope the SHPE Chapter at ERAU continues to grow and break barriers in good ole Eagles fashion.”

From Daniel Delamota, BS Computer Engineering, 2023 “Participating with SHPE at ERAU not only provided me a second family away from home, but it also prepared me for the professional world.”

From Esteban Ruiz, MS Aerospace Engineering, 2025 “I’ve been in SHPE since my freshman year in 2018 and I am now the longest current student member at ERAU. I’m so proud to have watched this club grow in the past five years, from general member to Executive Board and back. I can’t wait to watch it grow another 10 years. Con todo mi amor, mi Familia.”

To those who have come before us, current members, and those who are yet to join this wonderful organization, thank you.

You are loved, appreciated, and valued for who you are by the Familia. SHPE gave me a family here at Embry-Riddle; I know it can do the same for you, as it has done for hundreds before me.

Celebrating Excellence: National Society of Black Engineers, Embry-Riddle Chapter ARTICLE BY JESSIE ABINSAY / Correspondent PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERAU NSBE DESIGN BY NOAH COOPERMAN / Staff Reporter

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (ERAU NSBE) is crafting a compelling narrative of success, blending groundbreaking events with notable academic achievements.

Step into the impact of NSBE as we journey through their story.

Founded in 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the United States. Today, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Chapter proudly serves Region III, striving to “increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”

ERAU NSBE has demonstrated NSBE’s mission, which is evident in its impactful events and efforts. With over 70 active members, the Chapter fosters a community of learning, networking, and skill development. Actively participating in NSBE Region III Fall Regional Conferences, NSBE Annual Conventions, and the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), the Chapter has recently added the Annual Black Excellence Gala, uniting faculty, professors, industry professionals, and members to share the remarkable experience that ERAU NSBE has had throughout the academic year.

ERAU NSBE hosts various panels, offering insights through intern, alumni, and industry perspectives. Professional Development Day, Apply-A-Thon, and workshops contribute to the members’ growth. Collaborations with industry leaders like Collins Aerospace, Boeing, Northup Grumman, and Lockheed Martin and partnerships with organizations like SHPE, SWE, and SASE highlight the Chapter’s commitment to industry influence. Representation at the Industry Advisory Board amplifies ERAU NSBE’s voice among industry leaders.

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B e y o n d t h e u n i v e r s i t y, N S B E E R AU e x t e n d s i t s i m p a c t t h r o u g h c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e s a n d D i v e r s i t y, E q u i t y, a n d I n c l u s i o n ( D E I ) c o l l a b o r a t i o n s . S o c i a l e v e n t s l i k e B r o t h e r h o o d o r S i s t e r h o o d D a y, K e n n e d y S p a c e C e n t e r To u r s , and community clean-ups foster a s ens e of b elonging. Mentorship programs with Mainland High School and weekly study sessions demonstrate the C h a p t e r ’s d e d i c a t i o n t o a c a d e m i c a n d c o m m u n i t y s u p p o r t .

Consistent recognition of outstanding members, monthly spotlights for i n d i v i d u a l s l i k e K a i H a r r i s a n d M a l c o l m B a i l e y, a n d r e c e n t a w a r d s a t t h e Fall Regional Conference 2023 Region III for Serena Elijah showcase E R AU N S B E ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o e x c e l l e n c e .

A s t h e s p r i n g s e m e s t e r a p p r o a c h e s , N S B E E R AU g e a r s u p f o r t h e A n n u a l B l a c k E x c e l l e n c e G a l a , p o t e n t i a l b l o c k p a r t y, B l a c k H i s t o r y Month, S cholarship Thursdays, NSBE50 Annual C onvention, and the B o e i n g G l i d e r C o m p e t i t i o n a t N S B E 4 9 . M o t i v a t e d b y l a s t y e a r ’s r e c o r d breaking success, the Chapter focuses on breaking the world record.

CORE Projects, notably one of the projects, is closely launching its newly d e s i g n e d r o c k e t s a n d p r o m o t i n g D i v e r s i t y, E q u i t y, a n d I n c l u s i o n ( D E I ) through various events.

A s N S B E a t E R AU p r o p e l s f o r w a r d , j o i n u s i n c e l e b r a t i n g t h e s e t r i u m p h s and look ahead to a future filled with innovation, community engagement, a n d a c a d e m i c e x c e l l e n c e . Yo u r i n v o l v e m e n t i s n o t j u s t w e l c o m e d ; i t ’s integral to our shared success!

I n t e r e s t e d i n d i v i d u a l s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o j o i n N S B E E R AU ’s w e e k l y ge ne r a l b o dy me e t i ng s hel d i n t he Ne w R e s I Mu lt ipu r p o s e R o om ( R E SH 1 1 4 8 ) a t 6 p . m . e v e r y We d n e s d a y a n d s t a y c o n n e c t e d v i a I n s t a g r a m a n d LinkedIn @erau.nsbe.

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STEM Outreach and Cub Scouts BSA

STEM Outreach hosted an engaging event for Cub Scouts on Monday, Nov. 6. The event, held at Temple Beth-El School, aimed to educate and inspire young minds by giving them the opportunity to delve into the principles of propulsion, rocketry, and space structures through interactive demonstrations.

The event featured a series of workshops designed to captivate the Cub Scouts’ imaginations. The youngsters were divided into rotating groups, each exposed to unique STEM experiences throughout the day.

The first station focused on propulsion, where the young scouts eagerly engaged in building and racing balloon cars. The hands-on activity not only showcased the fun side of science but also introduced fundamental concepts of motion and energy. As miniature vehicles raced across the floor, laughter and excitement filled the room.

At the water bottle rocket launcher station, the Cub Scouts were introduced to the thrilling world of rocketry. With guidance from STEM Outreach volunteers, the scouts crafted their water bottle rockets and witnessed the exhilarating launches.

This activity not only sparked curiosity about the physics of flight but also demonstrated the power of experimentation and innovation.

Simultaneously, another group of Cub Scouts explored the world of space structures using building materials like LEGOs. This hands-on experience allowed them to construct their own space-themed structures, fostering creativity and spatial awareness.

As the young builders assembled their creations, discussions on the importance of structural integrity and design principles naturally unfolded.

Philomena Gann, President of STEM Outreach, expressed the organization’s dedication to enriching young minds through STEM education: “Though parents and educators express their gratitude for our time in events like these, the real reward lies in what we gain. Teaching kids about STEM is about receiving something far more valuable than praise: the immeasurable enrichment that comes from nurturing young minds and witnessing the spark of curiosity light up their world.”

STEM Outreach Vice President Gus Gatti emphasized the impact of such events on both students and volunteers: “These types of events are so impactful for the students; they are able to get exposure to topics that they may not otherwise be taught at school. They are also incredibly valuable to give us a new perspective on the learning process, which is incredibly valuable to apply to our coursework and life.”

The STEM Outreach event not only provided valuable educational experiences but also ignited a passion for STEM fields among the Cub Scouts. The interactive and collaborative nature of the activities ensured that learning was not only informative but also memorable, leaving a lasting impression on the young participants and inspiring them to explore the limitless possibilities of STEM. STEM Outreach Mission Statement: “STEM Outreach focuses on mentoring local K-12 students through community outreach and instruction in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. We also inspire the next generation and strengthen the ranks of up-andcoming STEM professionals.”

A Bear Cub Scout and a Scout from the Arrow of Light Den work on a 3D puzzle of the Lunar Module.

A Cub Scout learns the pieces of an airplane as he assembles the model of the Boeing 777X.

The STEM Outreach President assists one of the children to build his bottle rocket.

A bottle rocket gets launched during the Cub Scouts STEM Educational event on November 6th, 2023.

A Bear Cub Scout works on a 3D puzzle of the Saturn V.

The faces of STEM Outreach, one of many on campus organizations.

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