FAMESTM | Finance, Arts, and STEM: Professor Mary Bowden engaged in a lively discussion about how to get into space with student members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater 
Washington (BGCGW) during the “Dive into Space” Week at their Summer Camp. Her “Access to Space” presentation introduced the student to how we launch, operate and bring home people and cargo from space. The lesson helped the students understand the challenges of designing a launch vehicle that is safe and reliable. The students then participated in a hands-on project to design and build a capsule with the goal of protecting a water balloon “astronaut” when dropped off a high wall. The students formed several teams, each with 3 or 4 students. Each team used a piece of paper, two small dixie cups, 4 plastic straws, and some water-filled balloons with which to make their capsule. The winning team’s innovative capsule design allowed the “astronaut” to land safely with the balloon intact. A fun time for all, the simple project taught students the basic challenges engineers face when returning from space.
“I am excited to see so many girls participating in the FAMES program with sincere interest and asking great questions. These are our future STEM professionals” said Bowden. Bowden volunteered her time for FAMESTM summer STEM program at BGCGW on July 6, 2016. This was her second presentation. Dr. Mary L. Bowden is a Keystone Associate Professor in the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interests include extravehicular assembly of structures and the dynamics of space structures. Dr. Bowden leads the Nearspace.net program at UMD, sponsored by the Maryland Space Grant Consortium. Notably, under her leadership, the UMD Balloon Payload Team established a new altitude record for Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning on July 10, 2009, by lofting a small radio payload to an altitude of 128,379 feet. She has mentored over 50 high altitude balloon launch teams at UMD. She earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
On June 22, 2016 FAMESTM launched its eight week long Summer STEM Program for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. Professionals who are actively working in STEM-
related fields are invited to act as role models by talking to the students about their career path and their current work. These presentations expose the students to science and engineering beyond what their classroom education can provide. FAMESTM (www.famesusa.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and educating disadvantaged youth in Grades 4-12 in finance, arts, and STEM subjects, mainly during after school and summer programs. Through hands-on, computer-based and technology programs, our goal is to create a broader awareness in these areas, and inspire the curiosity that motivates students to want to know more. FAMES partners with schools, youth organizations, and sports clubs located in underprivileged areas, as well as other non-profits with complementary missions. By offering relevant and engaging programs, our ultimate goal is to increase opportunity for underprivileged youth so they grow up to be significant contributors to society.