K-12 PROGRAMS

Avetec is collaborating with local school districts to enhance and advance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curricula and encourage students to pursue postsecondary education in new and innovative ways:

ACES (Avetec’s Career Exploration in Science)

Avetec, through its ACES program, will offer 7 Wednesdays of science and engineering programming this summer for 40 middle school students. The U.S. EPA, WPAFB, the Westcott House, the Heritage Center and others work with Avetec to help open the eyes of Clark County students to the world of high performance computing

STARBASE (Grade 5)

STARBASE is a program at Wright Patterson Air Force Base that provides 5th grade students with hands-on educational opportunities in science, mathematics, and technology in a high-tech learning environment.  Avetec is excited to support STARBASE as a part of encouraging teachers and students to focus on science and technology careers to fuel the future growth of Springfield.

At STARBASE, students have the chance to learn to fly a plane on a flight simulator, build and launch rockets, see the inside of an airplanes, visit the jet engine shops, tour the National Museum of the Air Force, and talk to pilots and other military personnel who willingly share their adventures and expertise with the children.

For more information visit: http://www.starbasedod.com/index.php

GEAR UP (Grades 6-12)

Avetec is joining forces with Clark State Community College’s GEAR UP team to help better prepare Springfield area students for college. GEAR UP, (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), is a federally funded program that is focused on equipping students from middle school through twelfth grade with the necessary tools to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.

The program is already at work preparing students in a number of ways. Currently, the GEAR UP Springfield team is running tutoring programs for students, as well as teaching methods of college test preparation. 

For more information visit: http://www.ohiocan.org/OCAN/ItemPage.aspx?groupid=2843&id=2843

LaunchQuest

LaunchQuest is a nationwide program seeking to spark students' imaginations, encourage interest in space exploration and technology, and enhance elementary and secondary science curricula.

In this unique and innovative venture, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) has partnered with UP Aerospace, the world's only private company with a fleet of space-flying rockets. This partnership will offer students the opportunity to conduct their own science and technology investigations on a rocket fired into space. Avetec is proud to offer this program to students in Springfield-Clark County, Ohio.

Visit http://launchquest.org for more details on this program.  For information on Avetec’s participation in the program please contact Cathy Balas, Avetec Director of Education, at cbalas@avetec.org.

Project Lead the Way (Grades 9-12)

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) recognizes a critical need for future engineers and engineering technologists, and partners with public schools, organizations in the private sector and universities to create an increased flow of highly motivated students into these fields.

Three local high schools – Springfield North and South and Southeastern High School – will benefit from an Avetec partnership with PLTW. Along with Clark State, Avetec assisted the Springfield City Schools and Southeastern School Districts to each obtain a $20,000 Ohio Department of Education grant to participate in PLTW.  Avetec will contribute PCs, supplies and personnel to support the implementation of the project in the 3 high schools in these districts.

New courses will be introduced into all the schools over the next few years, such as Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Design and Development. The classes will introduce students to hands-on solving of “real-world” engineering problems through a project based curriculum. The program is also geared to increase interest and awareness of female and minority students in all technology-related careers.

For more information about PLTW, visit their website at: http://www.pltw.org/about/benefits-of-joining.html