Non-Profit Organization Raising Funds For D.C. Area, Other Build-A-Plane Project

The Washington, D.C. non-profit organization Discover Aviation Now is actively seeking funds for a Build-A-Plane project, which is giving 15 students the ultimate education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

In a small classroom at TransTech Academy – Cardozo High School in Northwest D.C., students are building model rockets, flying simulators, studying flight plans, and more in a program designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education through aviation. Believing that kids learn better with hands-on training, Discover Aviation Now founder Brian Johnson, an Air Force Reservist, combined his passions for flying and education to introduce our nation’s youth to exciting career opportunities in the aviation industry. And now he wants to take that program one step further with his ambitious Build-A-Plane project.

Fifteen local area high school students, working with the University of the District of Columbia Aviation Maintenance and Technology program, are set to get their hands dirty rebuilding a Pulsar XP experimental aircraft and restoring it to flying condition. Along the way the students will gain invaluable knowledge in STEM subjects by learning about aircraft propulsion, structure, electrics, and hydraulics, all in a very hands-on environment. Brian Johnson is seeking grants and donations to fund the project, couching it as an important contributor to our nation’s future.

In this opinion he is not alone. American education in STEM is in decline compared to the world, ranking 25th in math and 12th in science. Recognizing this as detrimental to economic growth in the 21st century, the National Governors Association is pushing for STEM grant funding and to source teachers qualified and interested in these subjects. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, hosting a recent STEM summit in Durham, said, “STEM education is a powerful foundation for individual and societal economic success. Governors have been working hard to improve education and to ensure the United States does not lag behind.”

Brian couldn’t agree more. “Motivation through the discovery of aviation,” he proclaims as his motto. “Through aviation STEM training our students gain valuable oral and written communication skills along with problem solving and technical abilities. And they can use these skills in the future, whether they go into aviation or some other technical career field.”

Discover Aviation Now is seeking funding to achieve a goal to "Build an airplane to build America, one student at a time." Donations are tax deductible. (Pictured: Discover Aviation Now founder Brian Johnson with an unidentified student)

FMI: www.discoveraviationnow.org