In today’s rapidly advancing society, preparing young people for the workplace and helping them to develop the necessary skills and competencies is an increasing need. Improving literacy in science, math and technology among the nation’s youth and throughout society is also a great need. One arena has long been known to work very effectively in helping youth and adults become motivated and inspired to learning, that of aviation and space, or aerospace education. The aerospace community has before it tremendous challenges and opportunities to contribute toward the future of this country and its role in the world and in space.

Over the last year, a significant number of individuals and organizations participated in initial discussions regarding a national vision for aerospace education to bring greater coordination and an environment of cooperation and collaboration in regard to aerospace education. It was recognized that great effort is put forth toward education in aviation and/or space. It was also observed, unfortunately, that there is much duplication of efforts, frequent competition and little or no collaboration which fragments us as a community. The first meeting of this group of concerned people was last June 28^th at the Air Force Association Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Subsequent meetings took place on September 16^th at the Air Force Association Convention and on December 9-10 at the Gannett Towers in Arlington. A number of common objectives have been identified and considerable discussion has resulted around the notion of establishing common direction and vision for the aerospace education community. A few action items were put forth as well such as supporting an information system (www, etc.) with educator guides, developing joint strategies for training and a leadership forum for aerospace education.

There have also been other efforts by some individuals, organizations (existing, developing or proposed) and others identified since December who have similar interests and concerns. New organizations and grant proposals have developed or are being explored to address some of the needs identified over the last year. There has also been some hesitancy among some to move forward with any new initiative for various reasons. But there are those who believe, as do many of those involved in the referenced discussions over the last year, that we should take bold steps to move us all toward a common direction and vision for aerospace education.

The potential impact on youth and society at large is too great and the need too critical to delay undertaking the monumental task of working toward a common vision for aerospace in this country. The aerospace education community can develop a common vision and strategy for an improved role in education and development of young people by showing its interest and support toward that effort. By expressing interest and support individually, by organization or agency the community will begin to establish a "common table" around which the larger vision of a far greater role for aerospace education in our society can be supported.

Each organization makes its own contribution to society in its own ways but, collectively, how much more can the community accomplish. This nation is the leader of the world in aviation and space but the American people are hardly aware of that at the grassroots level throughout this country. Many educators and interested individuals feel, with some frustration, that the aerospace education community is not getting the job done like it could. The community may significantly affect 100’s of thousands of youth or maybe more each year. Can we not, by striving toward common visions and objectives with common direction, accomplish far more for our society than we do now? Collectively, might we make a significant difference in the lives of millions of people young and old alike? Many believe we can do such things because aviation and space are exciting areas of interest among most of society. We all know that motivation, inspiration, sense of relevancy, sense of purpose and direction for our young people are more easily accomplished through aerospace education than many other subjects we might utilize.

Possible areas of attention and/or actions steps identified in the 1996 meetings and in other discussions since, are listed below for review.

Development of closer cooperative relationships among aerospace education organizations.

The potential need for a formal means of fostering greater cooperation and collaboration within the aerospace education community.

Establishment of a "national clearinghouse" function for information regarding aerospace education programs and activities; i.e., NCASE, Science & Technology Week, news media (USA Today, Flight & Space Magazine, etc.), NSTA, others conferences and organizations.

Work with possible events/activities or programs that are scheduled in the future which may be focus points toward greater cooperation.

Involving the network capacity of various organizations in facilitating awareness of and access to aerospace education resources.

Conducting an "Aerospace Education Leadership Forum" for the leaders in the aviation and space education community as well as industry, formal & non-formal education, and others.

Strengthen the community’s efforts to reach educators, youth organization staff, volunteers and others interested in the development and education of young people.

Develop grant proposals to establish funding support for the function of facilitating coordination and cooperation within the aerospace education community.

Develop joint strategies for supporting aerospace education at local levels possibly including:

Consideration of a neutral coordinating and facilitating role at the national level to accomplish improved aerospace education throughout the country.

As the community continues to explore these areas we will further refine and more clearly articulate a common vision with common objectives that we can all identify with and use in our various efforts. Involvement by the aviation and space community is very important to the success of developing and environment of cooperation in aerospace education. By working together a common vision and direction for aerospace education will develop resulting in far greater impact on American society than has been realized to date. The history of such efforts in this country is indication of significant interest in the development of some coordinating capacity at the national level. Can we not learn from the various efforts, going all the way back to the 1950’s and continuing on to today, and bring focus, vision and direction for aerospace education?

Please send inquiries and letters of interest for these endeavors to:

A Vision for Aerospace Education
c/o John A. (Tony) Cook, Ed.D.
214 Duncan Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5620
Phone: 334.844.2233 FAX: 334.844.2252
E-MAIL: jacook@acesag.auburn.edu

Great interest has been shown within the aviation and space education community in recent years in fostering cooperation and collaboration within the community. Further, the aerospace education community recognizes that, while it does impact the education and development of many youth and affects the awareness and knowledge of society significantly in regard to aviation and space, it can do much more. In turn, people directly involved in the education and development of young people need to know where to go, who to contact, how to obtain information and access resources, and further, how to make application of those resources. With today’s society faced with constant change, explosions of information and greater access because of communications technology, users of aerospace education resources and opportunities at all levels need assistance and guidance in their effective utilization. There are common objectives in a number of areas in aerospace education and those objectives can best be addressed through networks and coalitions.

Coalition or network building is a process of gaining an understanding and knowledge of the resources and opportunities available and of building capacity for their effective use by facilitating creative linkages between two or more individuals, groups, or organizations. It is through the sharing of resources and information that needs are met more effectively. If there is no sharing or collaboration, services are often duplicated or even overlooked.

A networking of the aerospace education community at a national level, comprised of key aviation and space stakeholders enables the community to establish general goals and communicate those goals nationally. In turn, those goals can be adopted to meet needs regionally and at state and local levels. With a national guidance in goals for education needs in aerospace, resources are more readily identified and information is more effectively made available. Collaboration is fostered in many areas and at all levels and the larger community is better served.

Initial Mobilization: Engagement of key constituencies on a national basis.

Establishing a means of Network Facilitation: A structure for a working group to help identify needs and how to facilitate actions within the network.

Building Capacity for Action: Orientation of network participants to concepts and establishing linkages.

Planning for Action: Assessment of needs, delineation and prioritization of goals and objectives.

Implementation: Development of plans of action, time lines, responsibilities, and participation within the network.

Refinement: Process evaluation for improvements and developing new strategies for programming throughout the community.

Effective Identity: A degree of institutionalization to establish processes for advisory or management team selections for network facilitation and to also integrate community goals and functions in participating organizations.

Further, network effectiveness is gained over time and by process with a number of functions and conditions developing:

More Effective and Efficient Delivery of Programs

Reduction or Elimination of Duplication

Increased Participation In and Use of Programs

Better Needs Assessment

Improved Consistency of Information

Improved Public Image

Increased Availability of Resources

Increased Community Mobilization

AEROSPACE EDUCATION VISIONING MEETING ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

A mission and vision statement were developed by the group and are put forth as statements that an education network might use in guiding its efforts. In addition, two tasks were identified to begin addressing. The first was in the area of establishing an understanding of the aerospace education community, organizational mapping as it was discussed. The other task was that of beginning to develop a funding proposal for establishing the information system and possibly providing a coordinated training/orientation regarding aviation and space education resources and opportunities. Members of the group offered to provide letters of support to submit with funding proposals.

The initial step of the visioning meeting was to learn who was represented. Each person provided a brief summary or statement of their organizations goals. Those words were used in subsequent discussions that eventually led to development of the following statements:

Using space as a hook to get students involved/taking preparatory classes through interactive learning and materials.

Assisting the nation to develop geo-political strategic literacy (aviation, space, inter-modal, transportation).

Using class work to demonstrate how aviation relates to the world.

Educating the lay person.

Using hands-on interactive training to excite youth about aviation.

Providing classroom ready materials.

Utilizing incentives, interaction, stimulation to increase cadet capacity and readiness for aviation.

Providing current-day information to teachers using curriculum guides. Getting backing of business and industry.

Preparing young people for the future through hands-on projects.

Improving math, science, & technology education standards (national) along state frameworks.

Exciting and inspiring youth of all ages through aviation, aerospace, and skill readiness.

Providing outreach education science to develop pathway for interest--retention.

Providing tools necessary to prepare youth/teachers & parents and developing interest and showing kids where they can fit into national direction.

Providing outreach, education and programs to prepare youth for careers in aviation and aerospace.

Consolidate representative resources, opportunities & materials to provide centralization of resources.

Furthering education in science and technology.

Utilizing access to science-related fields to provide educational programs to teachers and informal science educators through leading-edge technology.

Providing informal education (outreach) to motivate society beyond its current capacity.

Assuring life-skills workforce preparation that is transferable using school enrichment.

Creating environments for improving education and affecting the lives of young people.

Providing recognition, grants, programs, visioning to promote furtherance of aerospace aviation to meet national challenges.

Through 4-H make teachers better prepared to instruct in science and technology.

Bringing technology to 4-H to enhance skills to explore, discover, and prepare youth for life readiness using small successes.

Promoting and fostering education for aviation through partnerships and consolidation of resources.

Promote aerospace education as interdisciplinary.

John A. (Tony) Cook, Ed.D.
National Coordinator for 4-H Aerospace Education
214 Duncan Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5620
PH: 334.844.2233 FAX: 334.844.2252 E-MAIL: jacook@acesag.auburn.edu