UW-Madison hosts AIAA regional conference

Among many EXPO exhibits, attendees viewed the college's wind tunnel (in the background). (34K JPG)

Some planners arrange such free-time activities as hors d'oeuvre receptions, winery tours or sightseeing excursions when they're preparing a conference agenda. For attendees of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Region III conference, UW-Madison's AIAA student chapter "scheduled" an Engineering EXPO.

Since the conference's purpose is to encourage both graduate and undergraduate students to share their aerospace research, a tour of EXPO was a natural fit for attendees to learn about many engineering technologies, says Bob Schmitz, AIAA student chapter president. "I think everyone was impressed by the event," he says.

Some 30 faculty and students from seven Midwest universities — including new Region III member University of Kentucky-Paducah — attended the conference April 20 and 21. In what is a competition as well as an educational experience, about half the attendees delivered research papers with such titles as "Assessment of Aging Aircraft Panels for Damage and Structural Redesign" and "Aerogel Formation: A New Approach Using a Unique Rapid Gelation Two-Step Catalysis." Several winners, including undergraduate Stephen Steiner, will attend the AIAA national conference next January in Reno, Nevada.

Although unseasonably warm weather helped, Schmitz says attendees enjoyed their trip to Madison. "I think the conference went well and I have received a lot of positive feedback saying the same," he says.