Since last year s public opening of the Eagle Flight Leadership Center, the educational programs that make use of these facilities have grown tremendously. Along with this content, students are also taught reasoning and self-management skills. As initial testing is being concluded now, results have come in from the five national test site locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington. Teachers and students who have been participants in these first experiences are eager to do more. The EAA Aviation Foundation is looking forward to involving twice as many schools next year.
Preliminary results show students learning above their grade levels.
Using an aviation theme, flight simulator sessions, a glider competition and a series of community connections are used as a catalyst for teaching content, competency and character. In this last year, school test sites were located in Washington, Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin and Ohio. In the future, this will become an international competition. The Virtual Aeronautics Academy Charter School is on target to open in fall 2000 serving gifted learners who will participate in an enriched learning environment. Last year, this same event was expected to draw 200 participants.