AEROSPACE EDUCATION COUNCIL

The Aerospace Education Council (AEC) is a standing committee of the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group. It’s purpose is to bring together those IAPG members who have a special interest in the educational mission of IAPG and to conceive and implement projects which help accomplish that mission. Any IAPG member can participate in IAPG and AEC meeting and is welcome to do so.
 

The AEC meets periodically upon call of the Chairperson, who holds a seat as a Advisory Director of IAPG. The AEC brings together the educational resources of IAPG which include the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Iowa State University Extension Services, the Office of Aviation of the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Civil Air Patrol, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association among others.

Current projects of the AEC are Aerospace Education Teachers Workshops, Teacher of the Year recognition for teachers using aerospace in the classroom, and a  program of Iowa Youth Aviation Camps for youngsters hosted by various airport locations in the state.  These camps are half-day events which give kids exposure to airports and aircraft.

Locations and schedules of announced education activities follow below.

AEROSPACE EDUCATION TEACHERS WORKSHOPS

On June 10 and 11, 2009, a workshop,  Aviation Education for the 21st Century, will be offered under sponsorship of Heartland EAA 11's Professional Development Program for Teachers. The workshop will be presented by Des Moines Public Schools Aviation Lab and Iowa Aviation Promotion Group at the Des Moines International Airport facility of the Aviation Lab at 2616 McKinley Ave, Des Moines.

This workshop will include an academic day on June 10 covering aviation topics that teachers can use in classroom instruction, especially dealing with mathematics, science, and technology. The second day will be a field trip at the airport viewing such facilities as the FAA Control Tower, the Air National Guard, UPS freight operations, and general aviation facilities.

Enrollment is targeted at 25 educators and will award one credit of  LR as well as one graduate credit through Drake University. More details are available at www.aea11.k12.ia.us   Click on "Professional Development Programs" and scroll down the alphabetical listings.

Note:   Aviation Education for the 21st Century will not be scheduled in 2011.

IOWA AVIATION YOUTH CAMPS:  HALF DAY YOUTH AVIATION CAMPS

Iowa Aviation Promotion Group in partnership with Iowa Space Grant Consortium,  Iowa DOT Office of Aviation, sponsoring airports, and aviation groups such as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), has held half day Iowa Youth Aviation Camps at various locations in Iowa.  In 33 camps held 2006 through 2010, over 1100 youngsters have attended.

  Camp content includes instruction on airplanes, aeronautical principles, airports, weather, flight planning, aviation careers, and more.  Where available,  each youngster has the opportunity to take a Young Eagle flight.  Camps typically conclude with a pizza luncheon and award of a certificate and T-shirt.

These camps are absolutely FREE!   The target age groups are usually 9 through 12 or 11 through 14.

Planned & confirmed camps for 2011 include these airport locations;

Vinton Iowa Municipal Airport  (in conjunction with Boy Scouts) May 14

Pella Municipal Airport May 20

Mason City Municipal Airport:  June 11

Red Oak Municipal Airport:  June 18

Iowa City Municipal Airport (in conjunction with Girl Scouts)  June 17 & 18

Ankeny Regional Airport July 16

Tipton Municipal Airport Aug 20

Ankeny Regional Airport (in conjunction with Boy Scouts) Sept 9, 10 & 11)

Newton Municipal Airport TBD Oct

Washington Municipal Airport:  TBD  Oct

For more information about a camp near you, contact  chuckdsmcc@aol.com 

TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION:  COOPERATIVE PROGRAM OF IAPG AND AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION

Annually outstanding teachers who use aviation and space concepts to enhance the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in K-12 classrooms, are identified and recognized with Teacher of the Year awards provided by the Air Force Association.  The awards include cash and other memorabilia.  If you know of a K-12 teacher who may deserve such recognition, contact chuckdsmcc@aol.com or call 515-964-1398 

AEROSPACE EDUCATION TEACHING RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR LOAN TO IOWA AVIATION PROMOTION GROUP MEMBERS

Members of IAPG who are active in teaching aerospace education subjects may request teaching materials which are available for loan at NO COST from the IAPG offices at Ankeny Regional Airport. This is just one of the benefits of membership! It is anticipated that items could be loaned to any one requester for up to five months, the length of a school semester.

We have two 1/8th scale airplanes, including a SuperCub mock-up which shows control surface rigging, a number of flight and navigation plotters, some video tapes on space and other topics, several “Classroom Activities” binders, and a number of books on various aviation and space subjects. A complete list of available items may be requested by calling Chuck McDonald at the IAPG Offices, (515) 964-1398 or e-mailing him at chuckdsmcc@aol.com. There may a fee for shipping the items, depending on cost.