Shae Henley is a Space Grant graduate fellow at the University of Arizona pursuing a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering.  As part of Shae’s graduate fellowship, she is conducting as series of STEM engagement activities.

Shae volunteered at two STEM Nights in collaboration with the University of Arizona's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) section. She went to two separate elementary schools: Esmond Station, for their STEAM Night, and Irene Erickson Elementary, for their Math and Science Night. At both, she helped to run SWE's table; they answered questions about engineering and STEM fields and majors and led groups of students to complete a hands-on engineering activity.

The goal of each STEM Night was to engage young students and get them interested in STEM fields and careers. As the students attending were between the grades of pre-K and eighth grade, they discussed a wide range of topics, from 'What is engineering?' to 'What careers/classes would be best for a career in STEM?' The nights were meant to be engaging and fun for the students, and in addition to SWE, several other groups from the local Tucson community and the University of Arizona attended each STEM Night. SWE's most popular engineering activity was modeling dynamics through building small catapults with popsicle sticks, rubber bands, a spoon, and pom-poms; we helped younger students, and explained the setup to older students. This activity brought many students over to their table, and got them talking about engineering and STEM applications, as well as future careers/studies and how STEM is used in everyday life.