FAMES® | Finance, Arts, and STEM: February’s 
National Engineers Week provided a unique opportunity for FAMES® (www.famesusa.org) to partner with the University of Maryland’s Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WIAA) to conduct a highly successful presentation on Aerospace Engineering Careers for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington (BGCGW). The presentation on February 22nd provided a comprehensive overview of emerging aerospace technologies and the many ways in which engineers conceive and implement new ideas. Speaking were two young aerospace engineers from WIAA with a passion for the future of aeronautics and space, Elaine Petro and Elena Shrestha; both pursuing PhDs at UMD. Petro’s study of electric propulsion systems for space missions proved to be the perfect platform for an exciting look inside the future of space exploration. Shrestha’s academic focus is on new types of air vehicles and she captured the students’ attention by talking about the development of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), including the “Cyclocopter” design she is currently working on.
Impact on the students: The presentation had an immediate positive impact on the students measured by the intensity of their questions. The deeply engaging nature of the subjects led to investigations into how MAVs are controlled, an energetic discussion of how new virtual reality technologies could impact space explorations, and how the designs presented could lead to environmentally friendly electric vehicles. It was very clear the presenters connected with their audience and that 100% of the participating students were thinking like engineers and scientists. The students proposed solutions to some of the technical challenges that lie ahead for these technologies, a clear indication of their level of engagement. These students are our future STEM professionals.
STEM role model speakers: Elaine Petro and Elena Shrestha are ideal role models for the BGCGW students. They were able to help the students visualize the technologies and inspire their creativity. Petro and Shrestha enjoyed supporting the FAMES STEM After School program. They strongly encouraged the students to pursue STEM careers and see their ideas become reality.
Elaine Petro is a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. She is pursuing research on a water-propelled plasma thruster in the Space Power and Propulsion Laboratory. She has been named a National Science Foundation and Amelia Earhart fellow and was recognized as one of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s Twenty20s emerging leaders in aerospace. Petro is a member of the Clark School Future Faculty Program. She is interested in inspiring the next generation of engineers through teaching and outreach. Prior to graduate studies at UMD, Petro worked on the MAVEN Mars Orbiter and James Webb Space Telescope missions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Petro serves on the WIAA Executive Board as the VP of Community Development.
Elena Shrestha is a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, College Park with a focus on Rotorcraft. 
She is a National Science Foundation Fellow and an Amelia Earhart Fellow. She was previously selected as one of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s Twenty20s. Shrestha has received numerous awards and recognition for her work on developing the Cyclocopter Micro Air Vehicle. In 2014, her paper titled “Development of Control Strategies and Flight Testing of a Twin-Cyclocopter in Forward Flight” was awarded Best Paper in the Advanced Vertical Flight session at the 70th Annual AHS Forum. Shrestha is a founding member of WIAA, serving as the VP of Technical Development from 2015-2016.
FAMES® (www.famesusa.org) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and educating underserved youth in Grades 4-12 in finance, arts, and STEM subjects. FAMES promotes creativity and engagement through hands-on activities, technology-driven learning, and mentorship program with inspiring role models.
This program is sponsored by Women in FAMES® which inspires more girls to enter and succeed in STEM fields (022217). #STEMafterschool #STEM #STEMEducation