Interview With Lee Siudzinski On EAA's AeroScholars
by ANN Correspondent Maxine Scheer
As part of a series on the aviation workforce, Aero-News is
talking with participants at Oshkosh about what is being done to
attract prospective students into aviation careers. We recently
talked with Lee Siudzinski, Ed.D, Vice President of Education for
the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) about the concept,
progress and future of a fairly new Youth Program sponsored by EAA,
called AeroScholars.
The concept behind AeroScholars recognizes that as students
develop a love for aviation they often show dramatic improvements
in math and science as they apply these principles to the exciting
world of aviation. Unfortunately, in the absence of a strong role
model, most high school students are not likely to receive much
exposure to the aviation industry in their coursework, let alone
step foot in an airplane.
After having spent over 30 years as an educator in the public
schools, Dr. Siudzinski observed that the educational community has
not made considerable progress to incorporate aviation inspiring
curriculum into standard math, science, and career guidance
materials.
In response, Siudzinski led the three-year development at EAA of
a turn-key program in which interesting and inspiring aviation
coursework would be offered on-line. These courses are described as
being "not simply textbooks on the Internet," but are based on
lectures that have been proven over years of instruction.
Companioned with educational video, 3D animations, interactive
questions, and other multimedia learning tools, these courses
emphasize the important questions, concepts, and principles that
will help students excel.
Success of the Program
AeroScholars was officially launched in 2003 and in 2006, over
500 students in high schools located throughout 40 states in the US
took at least one of the two courses. The motivational power is
clear -- Siudzinski (below) estimates that over 90% of students who
start the courses complete them. Students ranging from freshman to
senior have taken the courses and nearly half (46%) of the students
are young women. Schools outside the US have also expressed an
interest in the program.
In the ANN interview with Siudzinski, a number of unique aspects
to AeroScholars were identified as critical success factors. The
first is that this is a turn-key program that can be championed by
anyone -- a teacher, an administrator, a school board member, or
aviation advocate and that EAA provides coaching on the
implementation.
Second is that once the program is implemented, it includes a
"live" helpdesk, staffed nine hours a day, five days a week by
individuals familiar with the content and supervised by an
accredited science teacher.
Third, is that the program includes tangible "rewards".
There are currently two modules and each offer the high school
student an opportunity to earn college credits. In many states, the
courses also satisfy requirements for high school graduation
credits. Students are also rewarded with the opportunity to
pilot an aircraft as an EAA Young Eagle, visit an Air Museum
through a virtual tour, explo aviation career opportunities, and
receive a one-year, complimentary EAA Student Membership for each
course.
Fundamentals of Aviation Science
The
first course is Fundamentals of Aviation Science, designed
for students of all backgrounds to encourage interest of and
appreciation for aviation. The course explores the history of
flight and the basics of aerodynamics. Two college credits
are offered for this course.
Advanced Aviation Science: Private Pilot
The second course, Advanced Aviation Science, Private
Pilot, further develops the student's understanding and
interest of aviation science. Although most students may not pilot
an aircraft for a living, many people dream of flying an aircraft.
The use of pilot tools and charts are all taught using
comprehensive video, interactive questions, online lessons and the
FAA publication, The Private Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical
Knowledge. Four college credits are offered for this course, while
it also prepares students for taking the FAA Private Pilot written
examination.
Demonstrations of the curriculum are available online.
The Future of AeroScholars
Dr. Siudnizski hopes to see AeroScholars implemented throughout
thousands of schools and that EAA is able to increase support for
scholarships, especially for schools that serve students from low
income and at-risk situations.
If you are interested in supporting AeroScholars, there are many
ways to get involved -- from sponsoring scholarships, to serving as
a facilitator, to championing a program at a local high school.