The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Tucson Section, award-winning Kids Club and the University of Arizona NASA Space Grant invited Michelle Rouch for a collaborative effort and accomplished another successful event in teaching a mini engineering acquisition/art project at the University of Arizona Kuiper Space Sciences building.

Rouch developed and designed a simulated mini-engineering acquisition program in conjunction with an art project, painting a unique rendition of the 4 forces of flight.  Twenty-three kids, between the ages of 8 to 10 years, participated in the 3 hour long project on 5 Dec 10 at University of Arizona.  The kids were formed into 5 competing teams with designated Programs Managers, who understood their roles and responsibilities in leading the team in accomplishing a task.  This unique project harnessed the kids most resourceful talents and expressionism through art.  Rouch had no doubt that kids armed with the right motivation and attitude, as well as working in teams would be able to complete the project.

Their work was on display at AIAA Foundation, Cessna/Raytheon Missile Systems Student Design/Build/Fly competition, Tucson, Arizona from April 15-17, 2011.  Colleges from around the world participate in the Cessna/Raytheon Missile Systems Design/Build/Fly competition. The DBF contest provides a real-world design experience for engineering students, much like Rouch’s mini engineering acquisition art project provides for elementary student, offering the teams opportunities to validate their artwork analytically.

For the past four years, the kids executed the project with ease and were able to meet and exceed all expectations. Their artwork will join the other 17 existing paintings at the Pima County
Juvenile Court Justice Hall in Tucson, AZ.

Articles:
AIAA Kids Club 2010
AIAA Kids Club 2009
AIAA Kids Club 2008