A new program that ties together STEM education and airports, “The Art and Science of Flying Ground School,” will be held April 23 at Jackson Jet Center in Boise.
Developed by pilots and Master Instructors Linda Castner and Rich Stowell, the workshop, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weaves history, biology, and technology into a exploration of the wonder of flight.
“This is much more than a run-of-the-mill ground school for pilots,” said Castner. “It’s also an outreach program to bring teachers and their students to the airport.”
To that end, organizers have been reaching out to educators within a two-hour drive of Boise Airport. Additionally, the Idaho STEM Action Center has pledged funding that will allow 20 female, minority, or underserved students to participate.
The interactive content will be delivered in five parts:
- Clearing Your Imagination for Take Off
- The Aerodynamics of Flight Revealed
- The Airport “Living Lab” Experiential Demonstration
- Airplane Performance—What Planes Do and Why
- Human Performance—What We Do and Why
Special guests scheduled to attend include the administrator of the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, the executive director of the Idaho STEM Action Center, the dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, the community relations officer from the Idaho State Department of Education, the Safety Team Program Manager at the Boise FSDO, and the director of community engagement at The Peregrine Fund.
Representatives from the FAA and major universities will be in attendance to evaluate this workshop as well, organizers noted.
Early bird registration is $50 a person ($59 a person after March 25). The fee includes lunch, a certificate of completion, and a chance to win one of several door prizes.
Qualified pilots can also earn WINGS credit, and school teachers may be eligible for professional development credit. Suitable for ages 13–Adult.