2026 SOAR Into STEM Spring Session 3: Aeronautical Engineering and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from the St. Louis area and neighboring counties participated in the third of four spring sessions of the Wings of Hope SOAR Into STEM Program on Saturday. SOAR Into STEM provides opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in the context of the Wings of Hope humanitarian aviation mission. Topics covered include Airplane Basics, Mechanics and Engineering, Navigation and Communication and Drone/Flight Opportunities.

In Session 3, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to a systematic approach to aircraft design through a series of activities. An outstanding presentation provided by a former Boeing Company engineer transformed theory into practice by using a current jet fighter program as an example of engineering and production excellence right here in St. Louis. 

The session began with a review of the Navigation and Communication concepts covered in the previous session. Also, the team of Boeing volunteer mentors led a review of the recent Artemis 2 moon orbiting mission as a practical application of aerospace engineering.

The session's guest speaker for the Engineering Session 3 was Tim Callihan, a Mechanical and Structural Engineer with extensive experience in structural analysis and project leadership at the Boeing Company. Following 35 years at Boeing primarily in the Hornet and Super Hornet programs, he currently serves as a Consulting Engineer for the U.S. Navy.

Callihan's presentation provided an overview of structural analysis using examples from his aerospace industry career and information provided to the students in their SOAR Into STEM Book of Knowledge. Topics included roles of mechanical and structural engineers, oral word problem exercises, review of Hornet and Super Hornet design and operational issues, fatigue detection and failure using household items and aircraft accident investigation procedures involving fatigue failures. Here we feature a portion of his presentation along with a visit from Callihan's friend and colleague, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Jr. 

The main activity on the Aeronautical Engineering topic was the installation of an electrical system on a foam aircraft cutout. One objective was to mount a circuit to the aircraft so that two electric motors would run their propellers powered by a battery pack with a switch. Another objective was to add a circuit running navigation lights on the wingtips and tail controlled by a second switch off the same battery pack. Student teams worked on this project before moving on to the second half of the session.

Teams of students built and operated Pitsco Drone Infinity Kit quadcopters in the second half of the session. This project reinforced the structure and systems approaches to aeronautical engineering, emphasizing the use of lightweight materials, symmetry and propulsion in a successful uncrewed aircraft vehicle design. The students honed their skills by flying their drones through hoops and under obstacles while avoiding collisions (most of the time).

Before the end of the session, the students gathered in small groups to meet with their STEM mentors for a debrief and discussion of various topics, including higher education options and aviation career opportunities. These informal small group discussions provide a positive and affirming way to conclude each session.