The Development of the Texas Summer Aviation Institute and the Implementation of a Pilot Program in Conroe, Texas (SWUTC/05/167456-1)

Attracting students to the transportation profession can be a difficult task. Attracting them to aviation careers is that much more daunting. Students across the state progress through the public education system with little or no exposure to aviation. Students enter high school and college with little understanding of and appreciation for aviation and the opportunities and challenges that may await them in the future. This summer aviation institute allowed 10th and 11th graders to experience the effects of science, math, and engineering as they participate in aviation-related activities. They also participated in hands-on activities and problem solving initiatives that incorporated team building and cooperative learning to teach principles of flight, aerodynamics, aerial navigation, Newton's Laws, aircraft instrumentation, Bernoulli's Principle, materials science, general math, and the history of flight. The major objective of this effort was to create a two-week Summer Aviation Institute modeled after the Texas Summer Transportation Institute (TSTI) with a core curriculum that can be easily and economically implemented in any region of the State. This core curriculum included speakers, field trips, videos, and hands on activities highlighting the importance of aviation and exposure to aviation career opportunities. The modules and the related activities will be TEKS based. This project includes conducting a pilot program that includes implementing and demonstrating the two-week program. It is expected that this will take place in the Houston area.