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.

FMI: www.aeroscholars.org