Fairmont High School Finds A Creative Way To Establish The Curriculum

About four years ago, the Fairmont, MN school district began encouraging its educators to pursue professional development that could help students in achieving their academic goals. Science teacher Brad Johnson and math teacher Jerry Brooks decided to take flying lessons, and began to develop an aviation program for FHS students.

Both teachers earned their private pilot certificates two years later, and have now established a two-semester "Principles of Flight" curriculum that will include classroom discussions and hands-on projects using a commercially-available online private pilot course. They will also be encouraged to take flying lessons in addition to the class to help them better understand the principles of flight, according to a report in the Fairmont Sentinel.

Brooks told the paper that Minnesota state law prevents a school from owning an airplane. So, he is working to create a nonprofit organization that would purchase an airplane that can be used for the class. Students would be expected to pass the FAA private pilot written exam at the end of the course.

So far, 29 students have expressed interest in the course. They will be required to complete an application and interview process and take a Young Eagles orientation flight. The goal is to winnow the number of students down to 15.

The course is currently only open to FHS students, but Brooks said his goal is to expand the program to the community. He is working with the City of Fairmont, local businesses and other city high schools to achieve that goal.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report