U.S. Rep From Missouri Is Also A Homebuilder, Pilot

U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO6) (pictured, right) will be a featured guest speaker at the Build A Plane Teacher's Day during AirVenture Oshkosh on Monday, July 26. Graves, a long-time pilot and aircraft homebuilder, is very committed to aviation issues on Capitol Hill. He is also an active member of the House General Aviation Caucus.

Build A Plane, a non-profit aviation education organization, in cooperation with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will sponsor Teacher's Day for the second year during AirVenture. The program is designed to expose teachers to a variety of programs and curricula that allow educators to put aviation in classrooms, from kindergarten through high school. 

"We are excited to have Congressman Graves join us - he is a parent and aviator who truly understands how useful aviation can be in helping kids understand and learn the fundamentals of science, math, engineering and technology," says Lyn Freeman, Build A Plane's founder. "Today's students respond to real world applications and challenges and aviation really captures their attention."

Teachers will be exposed to materials from private industry, the federal government and aviation organizations that teach students about aviation. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a number of hands-on presentations and to speak directly to program specialists. A wide variety of free take-home materials will be available for all attendees.

"There are some truly remarkable programs out there for absolutely all grade levels," said Katrina Bradshaw, Build A Plane's executive director. "Not only can teachers use aviation to motivate kids to learn science, math, technology and engineering, but this is a chance to allow their students to start a lifelong love affair with aviation!"

Teacher's Day at AirVenture is made possible by the generous support of EAA and GAMA. Attendees also get a free one day pass to AirVenture, compliments of EAA. Teachers can receive one graduate credit by attending the entire program.

FMI: www.BuildAPlane.org