Leading the Model Aircraft Club at The Village School
When I co-founded the Model Aircraft Club at The Village School, my vision was clear: to create a STEM-driven space where students could merge physics, aerodynamics, and hands-on engineering to build and understand aircraft. What started as a passion project quickly transformed into a thriving club that not only built intricate aircraft models but also expanded STEM education beyond the school’s borders, reaching thousands of students globally.
Expanding STEM Education: The 2-Year STEMExpress Initiative
One of my proudest achievements as President was spearheading STEMExpress, an outreach program dedicated to bringing interactive science experiments to Vietnamese schools. Over two years, we organized multiple STEM workshops, reaching over 2,000 students who had limited access to hands-on scientific learning.
Each event was meticulously planned:
✅ We designed engaging science experiments, from Bernoulli’s principle demonstrations (showing how airplanes generate lift) to Newton’s laws in action with balloon-powered vehicles.
✅ We ensured bilingual instruction, making STEM concepts accessible to both English and Vietnamese-speaking students.
✅ We partnered with local educators, equipping them with experiment guides and resources to sustain STEM learning beyond our visits.
Seeing students’ faces light up as they watched simple materials turn into real scientific phenomena was incredibly rewarding, a testament to how STEM education can spark curiosity and inspiration anywhere.
Orchestrating FISICO 2022: Ouroboros – A Celebration of Physics & Engineering
In 2022, I led the organization of FISICO: Ouroboros, a prestigious physics-based competition that challenged students to tackle real-world scientific problems. With 500+ participants from various schools, this event became one of the most successful student-led physics competitions in the region.
As head organizer, I managed:
📌 Competition Design – We developed challenging yet engaging physics-based problems, covering topics from fluid dynamics to aerodynamics.
📌 Media & Outreach Strategy – I crafted and executed a comprehensive digital marketing campaign, leveraging social media, video content, and student testimonials. The result? 30,000+ online reach, drawing massive engagement from both students and educators.
📌 Event Logistics & Execution – Coordinating judges, event schedules, and participant materials to ensure the competition ran seamlessly.
FISICO 2022 wasn’t just about the numbers, it was about igniting a deeper appreciation for physics. Watching students debate flight mechanics, design theoretical aircraft wings, and challenge each other intellectually proved that science isn’t just learned—it’s experienced.
Engineering Flight: Simulated Aircraft Models
At the core of our club was hands-on aircraft model creation. I personally guided members through:
✈️ Simulating Helicopter Rotor Dynamics – Teaching the complexities of lift and thrust through scaled-down rotor models.
✈️ Building Jetliner & Civilian Aircraft Models – Experimenting with wing designs, center of gravity balance, and propulsion systems to optimize flight stability.
✈️ Aerodynamics & Material Science – Introducing wind tunnel testing techniques, helping members refine their designs based on real airflow patterns.
These projects allowed students to apply physics concepts in real-world engineering scenarios, fostering problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills.
Reflections on Leadership & Impact
Leading the Model Aircraft Club was more than just about building airplanes, it was about building future scientists and engineers. From taking STEM education to underprivileged schools and running large-scale physics competitions to mentoring students in aerodynamics, this journey shaped my ability to lead, innovate, and inspire.
Most importantly, it proved that science isn’t confined to classrooms, it thrives wherever there is passion, curiosity, and the courage to push boundaries.