The MAAC AEP brings the excitement of aerospace to youth in grades 7 -12 with the support of a NASA grant. Dedicated to expanding awareness of post secondary aerospace study and career opportunities in West Virginia, the MAAC AEP stresses the importance of a solid Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) background to the youth of today. With two full time specialists dedicated to this mission, the MAAC AEP works to fulfill this vision though a number of services offered to those in Barbour, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasant, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel, and Wood counties. Take some time to see what we have to offer. If you have a project working to inspire youth in aerospace and would like our support, feel free to contact us.

Presentations

Let the MAAC AEP bring aerospace to your educational setting! Focusing on youth in grades 7-12, the MAAC AEP has designed programs which will engage learners and meet WV CSOs. Each program touches on the opportunities students have after high school graduation in the aerospace industry in West Virginia. Presentations include on for the middle school science classroom, middle school math classroom, high school physics, and a general career presentation. Presentations are available for the classroom as well as informal educational settings.

Career Expos

This year’s expo: May 26, 2010!

Each spring, the MAAC AEP, with support from Fairmont State GEAR UP, RESA VII, and the FSU Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center (NAEC), invites area high schools to participate in an Aerospace Industry Expo. During this event, students have the opportunity to meet with members of the aerospace industry from the North Central West Virginia airport and surrounding areas. Currently, the industry faces a significant shortage of younger, technically-skilled professionals. The goal of this event is to motivate students to pursue this type of career. We need to ensure that our West Virginia aerospace industry has a skilled and highly trained workforce to support this important target industry sector.

Summer Aerospace Camp

The MAAC AEP in cooperation with the NASA WV Space Grant Consortium (NASA EPSCoR) and Student Partnership for the Advancement of Cosmic Exploration (SPACE) hosted their first ever three day, two night in residence aerospace aviation summer camp on the West Virginia University Campus in Morgantown, WV in June of 2009 for 7^th and 8^th grade students. Preparations are underway to plan for 2010.

Participants took part in aerospace related competitions and activities, travelled to the Challenger Learning Center in Wheeling, WV for onsite e-Missions, and participated in the Morgantown Airport’s Aviation Day Event.

Keep checking back for as we gain information about the 2010 camp, we will post to this site!

E-Missions

The MAAC AEP encourages educators to discover the possibilities of e-Missions, brought to WV educators though the Challenger Learning Center in Wheeling, WV. The MAAC AEP is coordinating a training for educators at the Challenger Learning center for Fall 2009. Once trained, educators are eligible to apply to the MAAC AEP to receive a free Space Station Alpha e-Mission for their classroom. Limited number can be provided each year.

Aviation Club Support

The MAAC AEP will provide educators and / or interested members in the community a minigrant to support the start up of an afterschool Aviation Club or Program. Beyond the minigrant, the AEP will serve as a resource for these clubs, providing activity ideas and guidance as a program is developed to meet the group’s needs and interest. Applications are accepted on a continual basis. Before award is made, a planning meeting must take place with the club advisor and MAAC AEP.

Bottle Rocket Challenge

The Prodigy Foundation Bottle Rocket Challenge will be taking place May 27, 2010 at Hite Field in Clarksburg.

The challenge? Design, construct, and test a rocket made from a 2 liter plastic pop (soda) bottle, which when launched will remain aloft for a maximum period of time.

Teams must consist of no more than 5 students from grades 7-12. Complete rules and registration information will be posted on www.fairmontstate.edu/gearup.

Schools must be registered for the event by April 15, 2010. Only one team per school may participate.

New schools or advisors interested in participating in the event should contact MAAC AEP with any questions or to express needs for equipment or training. Contact us the MAAC at aeroeducation@maacinc.com or 304-842-9415.