Middle School Students Can Apply For A Summer Camp Aviation
Adventure
Air Camp is expanding its schedule to offer two summer camp
sessions in 2011 in Dayton, Ohio, following its successful launch
in 2010. Middle school students came from across the U.S. last year
to attend the inaugural session of the aviation camp, which is
designed to engage students in the wonders of flight and the
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) of aviation
and aeronautics.
Air Camp is an intensive experience in STEM learning that
provides hands-on experiences and the opportunity to explore behind
the scenes at the area’s major aviation and history sites,
including the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Museum of
the U.S. Air Force, Dayton History, and the Boonshoft Museum of
Discovery. Students receive flight training at Sinclair Community
College, co-pilot a plane at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport,
and experience the full range of aviation operations. The
University of Dayton campus serves as the host facility for housing
and meeting space.
“Our greatest resource in the United States is our young
people. Their creativity and problem solving are the keys to our
country's future,” said Thomas Lasley, Air Camp President,
University of Dayton Professor of Education, and Executive Director
of Learn to Earn Dayton. “Air Camp is a STEM-focused,
high-energy program that allows young people to explore who they
are as STEM learners and what they might become as STEM
professionals.”
The students who participated in the first Air Camp were
enthusiastic. “Flying in the plane was the best experience of
my life,” said one student. “This was an amazing event
I'll never forget!” Another student observed: “I don't
think I've ever been so happy with myself. Making it into Air Camp
is one thing. Experiencing it is a whole other ball game! Thank you
ever so much for giving me the experience of a lifetime!”
Air Camp 2010
Sponsors already committed for 2011 include The University of
Dayton, Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, the
United States Air Force, the Engineering and Science Foundation,
the Mathile Family Foundation, the Turner Foundation, Teradata and
InfoSciTex. In addition, UBS Baller Financial Group is leading an
initiative with Dayton-area technology and defense contractors to
increase support for student scholarships and mentorships in the
camp’s second year.
The 2011 summer Air Camp sessions will run June 26-July 1 and
July 10-15. Each session will include up to 40 students.
Applications are being accepted online through April
25 from students entering the seventh, eighth or ninth grades
in fall 2011. Tuition is $995, with a limited number of need-based
scholarships available.