Steven Griffin, a propulsion engineer with the Weapons and Energetics Department at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., recently supported the 2012 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.

Griffin took rockets of all sizes and shapes, and explained their components in an effort to generate students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Griffin estimated that he was in contact with more than 1,000 kids during the two-day event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C.

“I love talking about rockets with kids,” said Griffin, who supports several NAWCWD education outreach efforts locally. “I just love seeing their faces light up. Hopefully it will generate some interest in science and technology that could lead to careers with NAVAIR or DoD.”

Griffin came to China Lake five years ago directly from the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a bachelor’s degree is aerospace engineering. He has been sharing his passion for rocketry for many years beginning in his home state of Illinois. There, he volunteered as a judge in several science fairs. At China Lake, he helps with the local high school physics class and summer camps.

“What my mom thought was a dangerous hobby turned out to be what I really enjoy doing for a living,” Griffin said. “I like supporting education outreach events like this because it’s an opportunity to expose kids to STEM careers that they might not otherwise know are possible.”