Using an aerospace club to strengthen aviation education for youth
Abstract
Aerospace education clubs for students in Detroit, Michigan, were developed through a partnership that involves the 4-H, the Civil Air Patrol, and three local public schools. There is one club at each of three schools: an elementary school, a middle school, and a technical high school with an aerospace education program. Jeanette Drew, Ph.D., a leader with the AmeriCorps*VISTA 4-H project that serves the youth of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan, initiated the clubs, the first of their kind in Detroit. Students participate in mentoring, field trips, flight training, aerospace education, and learn about aviation history. Shannon Maynard, VISTA Source editor, submitted this effective practice in March 2002.Issue
Davis Aerospace Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan needed help recruiting students for its program that provides training in aerospace industry skills. Since students must have a grade point average of at least 3.6 to be admitted to the school, recruitment can be a challenge. Davis is the only public high school in Michigan that teaches 11th and 12th grade students to fly solo or earn FCC licensure and a high school diploma.Action
Aerospace clubs are a part of Lynch Elementary School, Burroughs Middle School, and Davis Aerospace Technical High School. Davis, which provides training in aerospace industry skills, is located next to Detroit City Airport and owns four aircraft. Effective practices include:- High school students mentor middle school and elementary students, focusing on skills they will need to work in the aviation industry: The high school students (11th graders at Davis Aerospace Technical High School) mentor 7th graders at Burroughs Middle School and 4th graders at Lynch Elementary School in science, math, and history. This mentoring expands visibility of the high school and teaches other youth skills needed to work in the aviation industry.
- Students from the three clubs took a field trip together to the nearby Detroit City Airport and wrote an essay about the experience. Two winners were selected, one from the fourth and one from the seventh grade. Their prize was a trip in a small aircraft.
- The high school students participate in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and flight training at Davis Technical High School.
- The Wayne County 4-H Program is now registered as a CAP Aerospace Education member and receives material from the U.S. Air Force support groups to educate teachers, students, and families about aerospace education resources. Dr. Jeanette Drew serves as an aerospace educator for both CAP and the 4H club.
- During Black History Week students from all three grade levels visited the Afro-American Tuskegee Airman Celebration.
Context
- Davis Aerospace Technical High School is located in the Detroit City School District and has an enrollment of 265 students (2002). Davis Aerospace Technical High School is the only public school in Michigan that teaches 11th and 12th grade students to fly solo or earn FCC licensure and a high school diploma. The school was recently selected to be the site for the new formation of the 100th Tuskegee Airman Composite Squadron (organized by the Michigan wing of the United States Air Force Auxillary).
- Jeanette Drew, Ph.D. is a leader with the AmeriCorps*VISTA 4-H project that serves the youth of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan. Her primary focus is on assessing community needs and working collaboratively with local partners to meet those needs. Dr. Drew developed the first 4-H Aerospace Clubs in Detroit, at Davis Aerospace Technical High School, Burroughs Middle School, and Lynch Elementary School, all located near the Detroit City Airport. Dr. Drew is also a volunteer senior member of the Civil Air Patrol and has been appointed to the 100th Squadron's Executive Board to serve as the aerospace educator for the squadron.
- Civil Air Patrol is an aviation educational program for youth ages 12-18 created for communicating to children (and the public) the importance of aviation readiness and the role that personal integrity, self-discipline, and trust play in the personal and professional success of those in the aviation industry. The Civil Air Patrol trains cadets in search and rescue techniques and aerospace education.
- 4-H offers youth opportunities in communications, leadership, career development, livestock education, civic education, home improvement, and computer technology. Programs are found in rural and urban areas throughout the world. The program is instrumental in building life skills in youth and making our communities better places to live and work. 4-H combines a focus on head, heart, hands, and health of youth around the world.
- AmeriCorps*VISTA members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members serve full-time for a year in nonprofits, public agencies and faith-based groups throughout the country, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, or bridge the digital divide. In fiscal 2001, approximately 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members served in 1,200 local programs.
Outcome
Posted On
May 17, 2002For More Information
Shannon Maynard
Corporation for National and Community Service
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader/Publications Specialist
Phone: (202) 606-5000, x428
Email: smaynard@cns.gov