A series of reports produced in the last twenty years, supported by national test results, confirm that secondary school students in the United States lag far behind contemporaries in most industrialized nations in their knowledge of mathematics and sciences. In the midst of of one of the most challenging periods in history, our nation's youth must be prepared to lead in the technological future. The reality is that many are not prepared. Many students even question the relevance of math and science in their daily lives.
To help address this problem, an innovative program has been developed that incorporates aviation as the motivating force in an intense and fun educational experience. This program will bring 264 middle and high school nationwide students each week to Pensacola to attend the National Flight academy. This one-week program will immerse students into aviation at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The idea is to motivate students using a dynamic, hands-on, aviation-based course of instruction. The program will underscore the fact that a basic knowledge of mathematics and science is fundamental to understanding the principles of aerodynamics and propulsion.
Young students must be challenged and motivated to soar to their educational potential. We believe the National Flight Academy will make a fundamental positive impact for all who attend.
Beginning with a vision for motivating and educating this country's youth in math and science, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has been working since 1996 to create an educational vehicle to spark the interest of our children. Through a stair-step approach that created an ongoing science program supporting the middle schools of Escambia and Santa Rosa County School Districts, we have proven the concept of using aviation themes to teach math and science in an exciting environment. To learn more about the Flight to Excellence and Flight Adventure Deck programs at the museum, click the links below. In 2001, Florida Governor Jeb Bush helped kick off our Capital Campaign aimed at raising $35 million for the creation of a National Flight Academy. Estimated costs for this project have since risen to $50 million - post hurricanes.
The first two phases of this program were to implement the Flight to Excellence education program and to build the Flight Adventure Deck addition to the museum. These phases have been completed at a cost of $2 million, with a 9,000 square-foot wing devoted to the Flight Adventure Deck and to the teaching of science and math using interactive equipment.
The Flight to Excellence program has welcomed more than 192,000 students from 550 schools throughout the Southeast since its inception in 1996. Children ages 5 to 17 have been introduced to the scientific principles of flight on self-guided group tours using teachers' guides and the IMAX® film, The Magic of Flight.
Today, the Museum's Flight Adventure Deck, developed in collaboration with local school districts, features interactive displays and devices that help students understand the principles of flight, including gravity and propulsion, with a curriculum specifically developed for 6th through 12th-grade students.
The National Flight Academy Project is a 115,000 square foot expansion adjacent to the National Naval Aviation Museum. The expansion will accommodate 264 middle and high school students weekly. The National Flight Academy will be housed in its own 115,000 square-foot facility with classrooms, simulators, system trainers, laboratories, flight physiology equipment, dormitory and dining facilities. The building will contain six open-bay training spaces, six "ready rooms" (meeting spaces used for pre-flight briefings and post-flight analysis in the military), and 36 cockpit simulators. The instructional spaces and living areas will be styled after similar areas on an aircraft carrier, and will accommodate our 264 students and 44 flight leaders. Off-campus education is an integral part of the National Flight Academy vision. Our facility will be, in effect, a 21st century high-tech broadcasting laboratory. Curriculum taught to the on-campus students will be shared with students and teachers unable to attend our science programs on site.
Principles of science and math, which are so integral to aviation, are essential to developing computer technology and in turn are revolutionizing the way we live as individuals and as part of a global community.
Instilling teamwork, values and enhancing students' motivation and individual discipline are intangible talents integral to the curriculum of the National Flight Academy. Students will be challenged physically and mentally to realize their fullest potentials. By the end of their six-day session, highlighted by a stirring graduation ceremony, they will enjoy their newly-gained knowledge, their newfound friendships and their tremendous sense of accomplishment.
Wind tunnels, engine test cells and graphic displays will help students learn about aerodynamics and propulsion. Flight simulators and interactive trainers will provide familiarity with navigation, communications and sensations of flight. Students climbing into spin trainers will have an immediate introduction to flight physiology. Confidence-building activities will help teach survival skills and encourage teamwork.
If you would like more information about the National Flight Academy or would like to partner with us, please contact the Foundation at: Naval Aviation Museum Foundation 1750 Radford Blvd., Suite B Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508 Phone: (850) 453-2389 or (800) 327-5002 Fax: (850) 457-3032