Over the years, I have periodically posted about my endeavor to expose and inspire our middle and high school students to aviation at the public school. Over the last five to six years, I have been doing this through an after school club, summer programs, Young Eagle flight, math class, ect. I have posted much of that here: https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-aviators-16460?p=225546#p225546 and our club website: https://sjvaaviation.com/

My goal has been to bring this type of content to the high school level and offer it as a year long elective during the normal school day. I'm excited to say that this coming Fall 2017, I will be teaching Aviation 101 at the high school level. The course will be a year long and cover the knowledge for the private pilot certificate and incorporate elements of the unmanned systems sector. We have also partnered with a local flight school to open up avenues for flight instruction. Furthermore, I'm in the process in getting this course approved for college credit through a local university that has a flight program. Our goal is to expand this concepts into more classes and focusing on other careers in aviation than just piloting (engineering, A&P, etc).

I would like your thoughts and opinions is in the area of funding and donations (I'm not requesting any donations). Is this a type of program that individuals and companies from the aviation community would be interested in donating to? What types of things would individuals and companies be looking for to ensure their money is being used wisely? Any other thoughts?

Need of funds:
BATD - Training Device
Wind Tunnel
Models / Programmable Quadcopters
Reduce Cost of Flight Training (grade / character / behavior requirements)

National Guard units can be a source of free support. My Medical Evacuation unit did sports physicals for my football team at Tohatchi, NM. If our old link trainers could be found in storage somewhere, they are good procedural trainers.

http://pages.minot.k12.nd.us/votech/voced/aviation.html Call Meric, top of the line guy teaching this.

Maybe there is some information you can use here: https://www.highlineschools.org/raisbeckaviation

This is a Highline District school in the middle of the Boeing complex and adjacent to the Museum of Flight.

contactflying wrote:National Guard units can be a source of free support. My Medical Evacuation unit did sports physicals for my football
team at Tohatchi, NM. If our old link trainers could be found in storage somewhere, they are good procedural trainers.

Interesting idea to check out. Thanks

dougs wrote:http://pages.minot.k12.nd.us/votech/voced/aviation.html Call Meric, top of the line guy teaching this.

I've spent some time google search but haven't come across this schools program. Looks like a great program. Thanks for the contact.

TomD wrote:Maybe there is some information you can use here: https://www.highlineschools.org/raisbeckaviation

This is a Highline District school in the middle of the Boeing complex and adjacent to the Museum of Flight.

Thanks for the contact recommendation. I attended AOPA's High School Initiative this last fall and it was hoisted at this school/museum. Great school and awesome program.

I guess my question is do you think the aviation community / individuals would be willing to donate/support financially what we are trying to do? I already know and have experienced a willingness for people to donate their time to support.

Thanks again!

I'll be happy to look over any grant funding applications you write, and perhaps offer a little pro bono grantwriting advice and writing help as time permits.

Hey Titus!

I was at the AOPA symposium too - I wonder if we met at some point?

I'm teaching a HS elective this year, and likely will be teaching it next year, and I'd like to have a much more organized and productive go of it next year. We should swap notes/ideas!

-Dave

I'd contact AOPA and EAA, and see if they have programs or ideas.

I would also try to weave some of the aviation coursework into the schools regular curriculum, as STEM electives, or?? You might interest some other students, and in any case might spark an interest that blossoms years later.

Beechcraft used to have some curriculum materials....don't know if they still do. Any college flight programs around nearby? They may have some used equipment to donate.

Get in touch with NASA, I'll bet they have SOMEthing you could use.

MTV

I'd contact AOPA and EAA, and see if they have programs or ideas.

Yes!

AOPA actually is developing a HS aviation curriculum. They're going to be piloting (pun fully intended) the curriculum/program next year, and they're looking for schools to jump in on it.

I haven't had much contact with EAA, definitely do need to do that, they seem like a wonderful all around resource.

EZFlap wrote:I'll be happy to look over any grant funding applications you write, and perhaps offer a little pro bono grantwriting advice and writing help as time permits.

I'm actually starting a grant application and will probably contact you for advice, thank you.

dpadvo wrote:Hey Titus!

I was at the AOPA symposium too - I wonder if we met at some point?

I'm teaching a HS elective this year, and likely will be teaching it next year, and I'd like to have a much more organized and productive go of it next year. We should swap notes/ideas!

-Dave

I don't think we met but I'm sure we saw each other. I did happen to meet username Tadpole at the symposium. I'll send you a message with contact info.

mtv wrote:I'd contact AOPA and EAA, and see if they have programs or ideas.

I would also try to weave some of the aviation coursework into the schools regular curriculum, as STEM electives, or?? You might interest some other students, and in any case might spark an interest that blossoms years later.

Beechcraft used to have some curriculum materials....don't know if they still do. Any college flight programs around nearby? They may have some used equipment to donate.

Get in touch with NASA, I'll bet they have SOMEthing you could use.

MTV

I've been in contact with the lead person at AOPA and she has been helpful in connecting me other people and schools. AOPA through Purdue University is writing curriculum for three high school courses - pilot, unmanned systems, and aerospace engineering I believe.

I've contacted my local EAA chapter ring years past but they didn't seem to interested but I know the organization in general has some resources that I have used. I will probably try again with our local chapter.

I've made contacts and relationships with a local universities and flight school as well.

I'm coming to a general conclusion to not bother looking for contributions from individuals but focus on organizations and grants.

I appreciate all the replies and suggestions.

You never know where strong interest might come from.

I had a unique situation at Tohatchi, NM. All my students, save the occasional teacher's kid, were Navajo, a strong matrilineal culture. They respected authority and were cooperative, also cultural.

I assigned squad leaders, based on CTBS reading ability, and the majority of my squad leaders were female. They didn't do daily work themselves but made sure each of the five or six students sitting in the row ahead of them, their squad, completed everything.

Because many in my Guard unit where Albuquerque Center controllers, I took my squad leaders from various 9-12 English classes to Center for a field trip each year. The bosses at Center loved my squad leaders because they carried themselves with fair but firm authority (like MTV not me. ) They actively recruited them.