Aviation Educators Present Initiatives To Apply Aviation In The Classroom

By Maxine Scheer

The fourth annual Teachers Day was held on Tuesday, July 24 at AirVenture in the EAA Museum. Event sponsors include Build A Plane, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and EAA with support from Wolf Aviation Fund. Approximately 100 educators attended the three-hour program.

For the benefit of educators who were not able to attend, ANN has compiled a synopsis from this event.

Hands-on Programs
Build-A-Plane. Introducing young people to aviation and aerospace by giving them the opportunity to work directly on an airplane. Aircraft donations can be made to support aviation education.   
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) - Over 2,400 clubs with people passionate about flying model aircraft. AMA provides teachers with classroom materials, grants and access to thousands of members who support hands-on education activities.

Government Affiliated Resources
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Education, programs include downloadable classroom materials, information on summer camps, ACE Academy Programs, and regional FAA contacts that can help educators link to industry. 
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) - While CAP is known for its cadet programs, teachers can access free standards based classroom materials and lesson plans by joining CAP's Aerospace Education Membership Program. A one-time membership fee of $35 covers current and future materials.  "No uniforms or marching is required," said CAP's Susan Mallet.
National Air and Space Museum - Provides online, classroom materials, online activities, interactive video conferencing, posters, and professional development programs. 

Aviation Oriented Clubs for Youth
EAA Young Eagles - EAA Chapters throughout the U.S. host introductory flights for students (ages 8 -17) and many support aviation education activities. A new website provides information on chapters, careers, social networking, news and more.  
Aviation Explorers - Youth clubs, ages 14-20, participate in activities centered on aviation careers. The program information describes local participants as airports, aircraft manufacturers and government agencies. 

Professional Development for Teachers
Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy - In partnership with the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Honeywell has sponsored an estimated 1,650 teachers to enhance professional development in this space-themed summer program. Participation is competitive and requires an application that opens in October. 

Academic Competitions
Real World Design Challenge - A fast growing, free competition for teams of high school students. Teams are provided a real design challenge, developed by industry, real tools, real roles, and a real presentation to judges. Teachers get a personal license to the software, industry mentors and guidance.  Students first compete in a state level Governor's Cup. State winners get an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the national finals.  Registration is now open for the 2012/2013 Challenge. 

New Initiatives
Think Global Flight - A nationally recognized aviation educator, Judy Rice, has developed an initiative to engage students and teachers in aviation-related STEM by following, in real-time, her around-the-world flight. "Student Command Centers" are being recruited globally to participate. Classroom materials and support are part of the program. The three-month flight begins Fall 2013. 

Fly to Learn (FTL) - Introduce standards-based aviation-themed curricula and software designed to enhance the content ofÊexisting STEM coursework. "Don't underestimate your students; by 7th grade a child can do design work", Tom Dubick, FTL. 

Success stories and ideas were also shared by educators at Flabob, in Riverside California, , EAA Chapter 1158, AOPA, and Kentucky's aerospace education program represented by a team from Taylor County High School.

Copies of presentations and an attendee list can be obtained by contacting Katrina Bradshaw of Build-A-Plane. KBradshaw@BuildAPlane.org

FMI: www.buildaplane.org