AFCEA NOVA Helps Today’s Youth “Reach for the Sky”
with Generous Grant to FCPS & Smithsonian

AFCEA NOVA (The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association of Northern Virginia) has provided $350,000 in funding to the Fairfax County Public Schools and the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center to develop a four part series of “Electronic Field Trips” about the science and technology of aviation. The four episodes will provide a lasting resource to encourage the interest of children in math, science & engineering across the nation.

The first three episodes of Flight School: Inspired to Fly; Higher, Faster Farther; and Blast Off, illustrate the principles and practices of aviation, starting with early flight and trace its development all the way to space exploration, as it highlights the careers of men and women who are motivated to make things soar. Through interactive technology and the ability to connect directly with teachers and students across the country, the Fairfax County Public Schools’ production reached over 16 thousand schools making the term “electronic field trip” come alive to 15 million plus students in grades four through eight. All editions of Flight School and related material are available for teachers, parents, and students at http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/flightschool/index.htm.

With content & location support from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Flight School was produced by the Fairfax Network, a distance learning vehicle of Fairfax County Public Schools. The series is underwritten with a generous grant from AFCEA NOVA, as part of its goals to support math, science & technology education in Northern Virginia. “AFCEA NOVA has a strong record of giving back to the Greater Washington community through college scholarships, grants to GMU & NVCC, teaching grants to local schools, and our Fairfax County Science Fair Awards” said Sue Hoffman, AFCEA NOVA Board Member & Regional VP. “But this project lets us leverage local resources to reach literally millions of kids. With that impact we couldn’t pass up the chance to partner with Fairfax County and the Smithsonian.”

“With those kinds of leaders in the field involved, the project was an exciting one to support on behalf of our members,” said Chuck Corjay, AFCEA NOVA Board Member and Chairman of many of the events that raised funds for the project. “We have the Armed Forces IT Days, the Valentine’s Ball, the Golf Tournament and other annual events precisely so that we can make a difference in keeping America strong in technology, engineering, math & science.” AFCEA NOVA President Kevin Hoey added, “the military & government executives, our member companies, and all of the volunteers that work so hard to support AFCEA are there with us because they know we re-invest their energy in the next generation.”

To celebrate this grant and the success of Flight School, AFCEA NOVA is sponsoring a “Family Day & Aviation Fly-in” at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, on Saturday, June 14, 10am - 3pm. The event is free for families and all members of the public are invited. Information is available at www.afceanova.org/familyday.

AFCEA NOVA is the largest Chapter in the AFCEA International family, with approximately 6,000 members, and an equal number of nonmember associates and friends in industry, government, & academia. AFCEA International is a worldwide nonprofit professional association founded as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association; but it encompasses more than just the military. AFCEA represents the top government, industry, and military professionals in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence, software, information systems, imaging, and multi-media. AFCEA's purpose is to support global security by providing an ethical environment that encourages a close cooperative relationship among the military, civilian government agencies, and private industry. AFCEA NOVA holds monthly luncheons, three major annual Service IT Day Conferences, and many other special events featuring speakers on information technology from the Army, Navy, USMC, Air Force & DHS. Proceeds from these and other activities support the AFCEA NOVA Education Fund, which gave over half a million dollars in grants from 2006-2007 to support education in math, science & technology. With an active Young AFCEANS group, Small Business Committee, and a large corps of volunteers, AFCEA NOVA is proud to be the professional association of choice for Government IT professionals in the region.

About Flight School: Inspired to Fly

The goal of Flight School is to enhance the learning experiences of children by using distance learning technology and unique interactive opportunities that will help bring science to life.

• The four-part series will examine historical, scientific, and technological aspects of aviation and its impact on exploration, communication, commerce, and national defense.
• Each program will integrate science, technology, engineering, physics, math, and other fields of study.
• With the assistance of current and former aerospace pilots and engineers, students will learn how scientific principles have played a major role in air and space travel.
• Experts will discuss the evolution of such concepts as lift, thrust, stability, air pressure, airfoils, and experimental design.
  
  

By highlighting hands-on activities, identifying scientific principles, and meeting the men and women who make American aviation possible, Flight School will equip students to take the controls of their own destinies as they consider a career field filled with innovative thinkers!