Registrations For 2005 Spring Semester Accepted Through End Of January

High-school age aviation enthusiasts can discover the world of flight more easily than ever through the Experimental Aircraft Association, as they can access a whole new learning system at home or in the classroom through the EAA's AeroScholars on-line courses. These courses, available at the AeroScholars web site, provide in-depth learning and college credit in an easy-to-use format.

Registration is now being accepted for the 2005 spring semester through Jan. 30, 2005. The exciting AeroScholars world of aviation science is accessible 365 days a year. In addition to the online content, web assistance is available nine hours a day, Monday through Friday, to assist students with contents questions or supply course guidance.

"EAA AeroScholars on-line high school science course does not replace the science instruction students receive in their own high schools, but supplements it," said Lee Siudzinski, EAA vice president of education. "The recognition for students not only includes college credit, but it also demonstrates initiative to grow above and beyond basic high-school requirements."

The EAA AeroScholar courses were developed in collaboration with Utah Valley State College, along with aviation educators, EAA education staff, aviation partners, high school science teachers, as well as a National Advisory Panel of aviation experts, nationally recognized educators, and business leaders chaired by Joe B. Wyatt, chancellor emeritus of Vanderbilt University.

The AeroScholars course, recommended for high-school sophomores, juniors and seniors, can be considered for high school credit and also provides students with two college credits upon successful course completion. The program provides students with an outstanding learning experience and increases their science preparation for college. The course also provides students with the awareness of the many career related opportunities in the filed of aviation. A second course, Advanced Aviation Science, awards three college credits. Students who successfully complete both courses are prepared to take the FAA Private Pilot written examination.

In addition to these high quality science standards, EAA AeroScholars is also providing students with a quality introductory experience to online learning. The content of the course has been supplemented with 50 years of aviation history captured by EAA photography, archived in the EAA Library, and at the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in. 

The course also provides opportunities for non-virtual experiences that are arranged by a EAA liaison educator, such as taking a flight, visiting a weather station, participating in flight simulator experiences, visiting airports and museums, and building wing ribs and balsa flyer airplanes. Those students enrolled at EAA AeroScholars will also receive the monthly EAA publication, Sport Aviation, for the duration of their coursework.

More than 100 students completed the course last semester on a test basis. With the national dissemination of the course, it is expected that more than 300 students will complete the on-line class during 2005.

FMI: www.aeroscholars.org