Rep. Dan Lipinski to Speak on the Critical Role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

To Address AIAA’s Inside Aerospace Conference

RESTON, Va., May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce that Congressman Dan Lipinski (Il.-3rd), chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Education and Research, will deliver a keynote address at 8:15 a.m., on Wednesday, May 13 at Inside Aerospace: An International Forum for Aviation and Space Leaders.

Rep. Lipinski , a former professor and co-chair of Congress’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Caucus, will discuss the critical role that STEM education plays in the economy and national security, in particular in the evolving workforce dynamics of the aerospace sector.

In his third term representing Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Lipinski is a member of the U.S. House of Representative’s Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology, and Small Business. In addition to chairing the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, he also serves on the subcommittee on aviation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in engineering-economic systems from Stanford University, and a doctorate in political science from Duke University.

Additional keynote speakers at the Inside Aerospace conference are: Richard Liebich, CEO, Project Lead the Way; Joanne Maguire, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company; and Charles Vest, president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Inside Aerospace conference will bring together leading representatives of academia, government, and industry on May 12 and 13, at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City, in Arlington, Va., for a candid discussion on building and retaining the aerospace workforce, focusing on two major themes:

• Preparation and Motivation: How can teachers in grades K-12 prepare and motivate their students to pursue aerospace studies in college? And what can universities do to ensure that students have the skills and experience necessary upon graduation to make a meaningful contribution to the aerospace industry?
• Professional Development: What are the professional development needs of individuals already in the industry, and what can the industry do to maximize retention of those aerospace professionals?

For more information on Inside Aerospace: An International Forum for Aviation and Space Leaders please contact Duane Hyland at 703.264.7558 or duaneh@aiaa.org. Conference registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the press.

AIAA is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. With more than 35,000 individual members worldwide, and 90 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information visit www.aiaa.org.

SOURCE American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics