Dr. Bonnie Dunbar Speaks to ANN about STEM Education
By Maxine Scheer
Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar (Ph.D.), a veteran of five space shuttle
flights, was spotted at AirVenture today, here to support a number
of events sponsored by Women in Aviation. ANN talked with Dr.
Dunbar to catch up on her efforts with Seattle's Museum of
Flight.
Bonnie Dunbar
Since retiring from NASA in 2005, Dr. Dunbar has served as chief
executive officer of the Museum of Flight and is now leading an
initiative for establishing a "Human Spacecraft Gallery" at the
Museum. As reported by ANN, the project broke ground earlier this
month, with the first phase designed to accommodate large aircraft
and more importantly the stories that go with them, about the
designers, decision makers, and others involved in their success.
With tremendous local support, the Museum hopes to win a national
competition for one of three retiring space shuttle aircraft, which
would well accommodated in Seattle's Gallery.
Dr. Dunbar has been a strong advocate for STEM education
throughout her career. "Filling the STEM pipeline has been an issue
since the 1990s," said Dunbar. "Parents have tremendous influence".
She described how the museum plays a very important role in
reaching students and parents through weekly programs held at the
Museum. "So are setting high expectations." Dr. Dunbar
coaches students and parents on the importance of covering the
basics in math and science before entering college. "Four years of
math is essential and must include algebra, geometry, trigonometry
and calculus. In science, students need to take physics, chemistry
and biology."
Dunbar NASA Portrait
"Aviation High School has a special relationship with the
Museum," said Dunbar. Educators from the museum helped seed the
staffing at the High School. She noted the collaboration emulates a
model that was first established by Henry Ford, and most recently
reintroduced as a public, college preparatory high school called
the Henry Ford Academy.
Dr. Dunbar described AVHS philosophy. "At Aviation High School,
students want to be there. They sign a contract with standards for
behavior and academic performance. The first graduating class
proves the focus can work. The Museum provides reality with
speakers and other programs similar to those provided during
AirVenture."
Dr. Dunbar's development efforts also include fundraising for
AVHS, temporarily located at a middle school described as in poor
condition, off-site." The fundraising effort needs to fill a
$15 million gap to get to the estimated $45 million in construction
costs for a new facility that would be located alongside the
Museum, located at Seattle's Boeing Field.
The school has been invited to reside on a portion of the West
Campus of The Museum of Flight, providing an extended learning lab
for the study of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
"This represents an unprecedented opportunity for The Museum of
Flight and Aviation High School to serve as a national model of
excellence for STEM."
Six students from Aviation High School are at AirVenture this
week participating in Erik Lindbergh's LEAP program.
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