Nav Log--Past & Future Check points (Events/Activities)

Here are the activities that are on our current navigation log, in terms of grants, AirFairs, etc.

  • Contributed to a Community-building proposal written by Dr. Susan Jackson, Hearne ISD where we would use the AirFair event as a way to build closer relations between students, teachers, parents, & community organizations. This was a $1 M national grant--no one in Texas won the competition, but it was an honor to be part of this comprehensive grant process--elements of the proposal may be appropriate for other proposals in the future. Partners in the proposal included the Colleges of Ed & Geosciences, TAMU, Lindbergh Foundation, and the Air Force Academy.
  • A follow-on AirFair at Hearne is scheduled for May 2005.
  • Ms. Sharlette Bain, Manager of the La Grange Regional Airport, has asked us to help her host AirFairs for the five school districts in Fayette County. Initial planning meeting set for January at the Intermediate School in La Grange. This is an exciting opportunity for the Museum!
  • Mr. Jeff Weiss, Senior VP-Investments, Smith Barney-Citigroup and member of the museum, led us to a Citigroup Foundation grant due in January. The proposal will be an extension of the Aldine ISD-Tuskegee Airmen program to include AirFair (s) conducted at the Air Terminal facilities for Aldine students, teachers, and parents.
  • We submitted a proposal to NASA's Inspiring the Next Generation of Earth Explores program along with the TAMU's College of Geosciences & Education; partners included NOAA's Spaceflight Meteorology Group & JSC's Education Group, the Air Force Academy, & the Lindberg Foundation. Our proposal would fund professional development for elem. & middle school teachers from a network of districts including Aldine, Caldwell, Cameron, Calvert, & Hearne ISDs.

Long Range Planning--Needs of the Education Program

Here are some things on the horizon and needs from members:

  • Help with the AirFairs--We could have as many as 6 AirFairs in 2005--2-3 in May and the others in October. Will need instructors for learning centers focusing on science (meteorology, aerodynamics), math, history, & career. Our goal is to have a team of volunteers who can consistently participate in the AirFairs. If you're interested, please call me at 719.930.6048 or email me at aviation@heckmangeoscience.com .                         
  • Other sources of volunteers. To supplement volunteers from the Air Museum, I'm working with high schools and colleges where students might be interested in helping with activities at the Museum and AirFairs. We've had wonderful success with students from Texas Southern University, Texas A&M, & Sterling HS, but need ideas for additional sources. Perhaps arrangements can be made for academic or community service credit. If you have ideas please let Drew Coats or I know.
  • Displays in the Aviation Weather & Communications Room. Graden Harger & I are seeking individuals who can help us with revising our current displays and looking toward moving into the permanent rooms upstairs in the south wing of the terminal building where the CAA-WB rooms will be restored to a 1940-50 vintage. We'll also be designing a number of science, math, engineering, & technology displays for visitors around meteorology, communications, & technology themes.
  • Funds to support Education Programs. Do you have ideas on obtaining funds for the Museum's educational programs? We've already written proposals to the National Science Foundation, NASA, & Citigroup Foundation. Federally sponsored funds will likely become more scarce in the coming years, so we much began to look to other funders--aviation-based organizations, other private-commercial foundations, and/or private individuals. If you have suggestions, please contact us.