Education

Welcome to the Education section of the Academy of Model Aeronautics' web site. The work of the Education Committee represents the "Academy" in our name. Our mission is to promote model aviation as an educational tool, in formal classroom and informal, after-school settings.

The Academy assists classroom teachers who wish to integrate aerospace education concepts into math, science, social studies, language arts and technology education programs to meet goals and objectives of the national standards for these disciplines.

In addition, the Academy's work with informal after-school programs, community groups, and summer camps enables it to be a valuable resource to help train newcomers - young and old - to the sport, hobby and educational opportunities of model aviation.

Curriculum support and materials for middle school physical science and math programs may by found by contacting us for a copy of AeroLab, a DVD/CD featuring activities developed by science teachers for teachers thanks to the generous support of the Alcoa Foundation.  AeroLab lessons feature simple foam and balsa aircraft as tools to teach the concepts of force and motion, potential/kinetic energy and centripetal force.  The activities allow students to practice important math skills to determine average speed and distance flown.  All labs are aligned with middle school physical science and math standards and are "S.T.E.M. Compliant."  The labs feature conceptual activities in the physical sciences to provide opportunities for students to make predictions, collect data, graph results and draw conclusions, as well as participate in lessons designed for directed and guided inquiry.

Support for informal after-school programs such as Science Olympiad or Technology Student Association competitions, the National Free Flight Society's  National Model Aviation Program, (NMAP) may be found in links.Summer programs offered by individual clubs, may be found in YES Grant Programs.

If you are a teacher or a community group leader seeking mentor assistance with any of these initiatives, you may find the details about how to locate one in your area in the modeling educator listing.

If you are an AMA charter club and wish to apply for a YES Grant to create an educational program, you may locate the applicationform at YES Grant.