1. 2nd
Annual STEM Rotor Day
Our mission to inspire the STEM leaders of tomorrow and create an excitement about the STEM fields
This event was made possible by the generous contributions of the LORD Corporation and AERTS Lab

2. 2nd
Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Table of Contents
......................................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................3
Hands-on Activities .......................................................................................................................................3
Facility Tours.................................................................................................................................................6
Attendance Data...........................................................................................................................................7
Advertising Efforts.........................................................................................................................................7
Event Feedback.............................................................................................................................................8
Advertising................................................................................................................................................9
Preferred Demonstrations......................................................................................................................10
Reason for attending ..............................................................................................................................11
General Feedback ...................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................13
Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................13
Sponsors..................................................................................................................................................13
Volunteers...............................................................................................................................................13

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Introduction
On Saturday, November 14, 2015, the Penn State Chapter of the American Helicopter Society came
together to offer a free community rotor-themed STEM event. This event was made possible by the
contributions of the LORD Corporation and AERTS lab at Penn State. The purpose of this event was to
provide exciting STEM activities and aerospace facility tours to elementary and middle school aged
children and their families. This event, however, was open to children of all ages. Following registration,
children were encouraged to enjoy a multitude of hands on STEM activities, and then attend facility tours
while enjoying PSU Berkey Creamery ice cream. Following the event, parents were asked to fill out an exit
survey. The survey results were processed to obtain valuable feedback on the year’s event while providing
a focus of where AHS should focus its resources on for the 2016 event.
This report will outline the event and the event feedback. This event consisted of hands on activities (small
scale wind tunnel, flight simulator, K-MAX gears, gyroscopic stability, RC helicopter lessons, high-speed
camera, and QH-50 hub) and facility tours (AERTS lab and wind tunnel, Hammond Wind Tunnel, flight
simulator, RC Helicopter Stand, Helicopter Museum). The surveys suggest that the efforts in advertising
were successful. They also suggest that the participants enjoy actively engaging activities and desire
activities for younger children.
The feedback also suggests that STEM Rotor Day was a complete success, and is succeeding in its mission
to inspire the STEM leaders of tomorrow and create an excitement about the STEM fields.
Hands-on Activities
Small Scale Wind Tunnel
The small scale wind tunnel used was built and donated to AHS
in 2015 by Pierson J. Holcombe Jr. This tunnel was modified for
a load cell and data acquisition system. This allowed children to
actively investigate the relationship between lift and angle of
attack. The children were also able to visually understand why
airfoils stall at high angles of attack by the addition of tufts on
the airfoil.
Flight Simulator
X Plane flight simulation software was used for the flight
simulations. The children were able to fly both fixed wing
aircraft and helicopters using a joystick. The joystick stick
allowed the children to control all control surfaces. We hope to
have inspired future pilots!

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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K-MAX Gears
The main bevel gears of a Kaman K-Max gear box were setup to
show how mechanical power is distributed from the engine to
the rotors. These large gears were great for the students to play
with. They saw how the two main rotors of the K-Max could
spin in opposite directions even though it only has one engine
Gyroscopic Stability
A bicycle wheel and turntable were used to teach children
about gyroscopic stability and conservation of momentum. The
kids were able to see how changing the direction of the wheel
would affect the spin of the turn table. This was a fun event that
drew a lot of attention!
RC Helicopter Lessons
Children were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn
and fly RC quadcopters. Volunteers taught the children the
controls for the quadcopters and challenged them to fly
through a course of hula-hoops. This was the most popular
event at Rotor Day.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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High Speed Camera
Children were able to explore life in slow motion. They dropped
small objects into water, popped balloons, and make funny
faces in front of a high speed camera. This allowed them to see
as they never had before!
QH-50
A QH-50 hub was used to teach children about the various
control mechanisms of a helicopter rotor and hub.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Facility Tours
AERTS Lab
Children and their families were taken on guided tours of
the AERTS Lab and wind tunnel. After a brief lesson on the
importance of icing research, an icing demonstration took
place. Afterwards, the families were able to enter the
rotor test stand to see and touch the ice on the rotor! This
was very exciting for children and their families.
Hammond Wind Tunnel
Following the AERTS demonstration, the tour continued
into the Hammond Wind Tunnel. Comparing the size of
this 2’x3’ test section, closed loop wind tunnel to the
small wind tunnel in Kunkle Lounge allowed for
perspective about experiment size. They were also taught
about the various uses of a wind tunnel.
Flight Simulator
Following the lab tours, families were given the
opportunity to take photos in the cockpit of an XV-15
helicopter and see a large flight simulator! Families and
kids both loved this event, and it gave families a great
memory of the day.
RC Helicopter Stand
After taking photos in the flight simulator, the group met
in an RC stand where they had the opportunity to see
another lab and ask general questions about the STEM
fields and aerospace research. This was a great time for
learning away from the large group.
Helicopter Museum
At the end of the tour, the group was taken through the
helicopter museum where they were able to see a fully
constructed QH-50 UAV, the controls, as well as various
other helicopter parts. Everyone enjoyed seeing UAV
from the mid 1900’s and comparing it to what they see
today.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Attendance Data
The increase in attendance to the 2nd
Annual STEM Rotor Day was unprecedented. 76 children attended
the 2015 event, a 422% increase from the previous year which saw only 18 children. This number was
determined by counting the number of children on the registration forms. In total, 55 groups attended
the event. Based on observation, an average of 2 parents/guardians were with each group. This leads to
a projected attendance of 186 people! The increase in attendance can be attributed to improved
advertising. This will be discussed in the following section of the report.
In order to improve an understanding of the event for next year, it is recommended that both party size
and the age of each child be requested on the registration form. This will allow AHS to target the largest
age groups and create more age appropriate events.
Advertising Efforts
At the 1st
Annual STEM Rotor Day in 2014, there were 18 children in total who attended. The primary
advertisement for the event last year was through STEM teachers at middle and high schools in State
College. 75 percent of the attendees in 2014 were in 6th
and 7th
grade. In order to improve the overall
attendance and interest in the event, elementary and middle school aged children were targeted for the
2015 event in place of high school students. Advertising efforts were also improved. A flyer was developed
for the event that can be seen below.
Parents/Gaurdians
(Estimated), 110
Children
(Actual), 76
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Estimated Attendees
Estimated Attendee Data

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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This flyer was developed with modern, simple graphics and colors that would draw attention. This flyer
was distributed to the information tables of all 11 elementary and middle schools in the State College
Area School District. The event was also advertised on statecollege.com, a local event website, 93.7 the
Bus, a local radio station, and the Penn State AHS Facebook, Twitter, and website. These flyers were also
distributed at Exploration-U, a STEM event held in Bellefonte that AHS was invited to attend the Tuesday
prior to Rotor Day.
Event Feedback
An exit survey was provided for the groups to fill out before going home. This addressed advertising,
favorite demonstrations, reason for coming, and general comments. This survey can be seen below.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Of the 55 groups who attended rotor day, 19 completed the exit survey. That is 34.5 percent, and enough
to sufficiently represent the viewpoints of the attendees.
In order to improve survey participation next year, it is recommended that AHS sets up a computer at the
exit with a simple digital survey of check boxes. This would remind attendees to fill out a survey upon exit
rather than being asked to fill out a survey before they leave when they are filling out the registration
forms upon arrival.
Advertising
The question “How did you hear about this event?” was asked on the survey. The results can be found
below.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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The surveys suggest that the majority of participants, 26 percent, learned about Rotor Day from
statecollege.com, a local event website. This was followed by Exploration-U advertisement and the SCASD
information tables at 21 and 16 percent, respectively. The Penn State AHS website, Twitter, Facebook,
and 93.7 the Bus were not nearly as effective, only accounting for 10 percent of the attendees. 26 percent
filled out “other” as their source of learning about the event. In the other category were macaronikid.com,
a Happy Valley Moms Facebook page, and word of mouth.
This suggests that it is most effective to target local event advertisement websites, schools directly, and
other STEM events. As a result, it is recommended that for next year’s event many more local event listing
websites should be targeted, flyers should be sent to more schools, and advertisements should be present
at STEM events throughout the year.
Preferred Demonstrations
The question “What was your favorite demonstration?” was asked on the survey. The results can be found
below.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Percent
How did you learn about this event?

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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RC helicopter lessons was the 47 percent favorite, followed by the lab tours and flight simulator at 31.5
percent, and the high speed camera at 26.3 percent. Only 10.5 percent chose the gyroscope. 5.3 percent
chose the gears and wind tunnel, and 0 percent chose the QH-50 demonstration as the favorite. The
results suggest that the participants enjoyed actively engaging activities. The RC helicopter event was a
high action, hands on, and challenging demonstration. The flight simulator was challenging and likely a
new experience. The tours and high-speed camera was gave the children an opportunity to see something
they had never seen before and was also very engaging. By contrast, the gyroscope, gears, wind tunnel,
and QH-50 were much more passive and observation based activities.
This data suggests that AHS should focus its efforts on making all of the activities engaging, exciting, and
new for the children. It is recommended that future activities limit pure observation to keep the children
interested.
Reason for attending
The question “Why did you come to this event?” was asked on the survey. The results can be found below.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Percent
What was your favorite demonstration?

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Science demonstrations were the primary reason for attending Rotor Day at 84.2 percent, followed by lab
tours at 31.6 percent, ice cream at 26.3 percent, and other at 5.3 percent. The other response, however,
was STEM activities which can be considered science demonstrations.
This data suggests that STEM Rotor Day is targeting the proper attendee needs and is serving its designed
purpose. This is an event meant to inspire children to enjoy the STEM fields and become interested in
STEM education. It is also meant to show children what a career in STEM could look like. Science
demonstrations and tours achieve this goal. It is important that the AHS club and sponsor recourses for a
STEM activity are not going to an event which people are attending for the ice cream!
General Feedback
The final question of the survey was “Did you enjoy rotor day?” All 19 survey participants did enjoy Rotor
Day! The comments and concerns section also provided very positive feedback addressing three main
areas:
1. Thanking AHS for the opportunity
2. Excitement for future years
3. Enjoyment of the lab tours
This feedback is encouraging because it both shows that the event was very strong and popular, and the
participants are looking to return to next year’s event. The comments predict growth in the event.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Science
Demonstrations
Tours Ice cream Other
Percent
Why did you come to this event?

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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One comment asked for more interactive activities for young children. This event was intended for
elementary and middle school ages children, however, a large number of pre-school aged children were
in attendance. In order to meet the needs of this large group it is recommended that AHS develop a new
activity specifically for very young children.
Conclusion
The 2nd
Annual STEM Rotor Day was a success in nearly every measurable statistic. Attendance was 422%
of the previous year’s event, 76 children vs 18 children. This increase can likely be attributed to advertising
efforts and a new target age group of elementary and middle school based on survey data. Everyone
enjoyed rotor day and is looking to come back in future years.
AHS is encouraged by the success of the event this year and is looking to broaden its efforts to expand the
event next year. The recommended focus areas for next year’s event are listed below:
 Advertise on more local event websites and event pages in the towns surrounding State College,
including Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Penns Valley, etc.
 Deliver flyers to local schools in the above towns and to more STEM events
 Expand the survey to include party size and attendee ages
 Make surveys more easily accessible upon exit
 Dedicate new activity for preschool aged children
 Ensure all activities are actively engaging
Implementing these recommendations will ensure that STEM Rotor Day will continue to grow as an event
and that AHS can continue to serve the children of the community. It is our mission to inspire the STEM
leaders of tomorrow and create an excitement about the STEM fields, and STEM Rotor Day fits this
mission.
Acknowledgments
Penn State AHS would like to acknowledge its sponsors and volunteers.
Sponsors
Penn State AHS would like to thank the generous sponsorship of the Lord Corporation. Their contribution
continues to make STEM Rotor Day possible and allows us to continually inspire the STEM leaders of
tomorrow. AHS also thanks the AERTS lab for its contribution to the event. Its contribution makes
volunteering time to this event possible and enjoyable.
Volunteers
This event would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of its volunteers. The volunteers
are pictured and named below.

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Annual STEM Rotor Day
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Left to right:
Matt Drury: M.S. Student – AHS Member – Flight Simulator
Miguel Alvarez: M.S. Student – AHS Treasurer – High Speed Camera
Edward T. Rocco: M.S. Student – AHS Public Relation – Tour Guide, Advertising & Data
Jared Soltis: PhD Candidate – AHS President – Event Founder & Photographer
Ahmad Haidar: M.S. Student – AHS Event Coordinator
Sihong Yan: M.S. Student – AHS Secretary – K-MAX Gears
Dr. Jose Palacios: Assistant Professor – AHS Chapter Advisor – Event Sponsor
Left to right:
Jason Stanko: M.S. Student – AHS Member – QH-50 Hub
Sarah Aguasvivas: M.S. Student – AHS Member – Gyroscopic Stability
Tirth Patel: B.S. Student – AHS Member – Event Volunteer
Bryce Connelly: B.S. Student – AHS Member – Wind Tunnel
Belen Veras-Alba: M.S. Student – AHS Member – Hospitality
Not pictured:
Jason Cornelius: B.S. Student – AHS Vice President – RC Helicopters
Dr. Edward Smith – AHS Chapter Advisor