Giving Plymouth-Canton Education a Lift – Exciting New Program for Teachers and Students
Giving Plymouth-Canton Education a Lift
Exciting New Program for Teachers and Students
Yankee Air Museum today announced it received a grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to launch an exciting new educational program for teachers and students in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. Called Giving Plymouth-Canton Education a Lift, the project will enrich education in the school district, first by immersing 60 teachers in grades 2-8 in an Air Adventure. They will have an opportunity to fly on a World War Two Douglas C-47 troop transport. These teachers will then share their experience in the classroom and up to 1800 students will visit the Museum later. The fully-funded field trips include coursework by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Curriculum planning and teacher selection are underway now for flights preceding the 2018/2019 school year.
“The collaboration is amazing and the clarity of purpose is awesome,” said Kevin Walsh, Executive Director of the Yankee Air Museum. “Imagine, blending vintage aircraft, transportation history and modern Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). That’s what we are doing.”
Walsh explained that while Plymouth-Canton Community Schools provide outstanding education, he sees firsthand the excitement kids, of all ages, have when they get up close to airplanes. He says when kids have hands-on experiences with cool applications of STEM, they get it, and they want more. With pilot and maintenance labor shortages in the airline industry, Yankee Air Museum feels a compelling responsibility to help introduce kids to career paths in aviation.
“The creative STEM labs delivered by our education staff are designed to engage, enlighten and energize young students,” said Mel Drumm, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to expand into areas featuring real aerospace technology.”
Drumm elaborated by listing Engineering Design, Circuit Masters and This IS Rocket Science as some of the labs in which the young students will participate. The students will also get a tour of the Yankee Air Museum exhibit gallery. Transportation history is highlighted through videos shown in the Museum and specially prepared booklets. Drumm noted that the curriculum is being carefully tied to the Michigan Science Standards for each participating grade.
“P-CCS is enthusiastic about the partnership with Yankee Air Museum and the opportunities it will bring our students,” said Monica Merritt, P-CCS Superintendent of Schools. “Field trips are a great way for students to experience hands-on learning that is firmly tied to curriculum.”
“Field trips always bring a level of excitement to both students and staff as an extension of learning, and we know our students will be thrilled with the opportunity to visit this historic location.”
Merritt added that having the active involvement of curriculum leadership and teachers from the very start has provided a well-balanced and thoughtful approach to this opportunity for students.
“On behalf of all of us, we appreciate the opportunity being provided by the Margaret Dunning Foundation of Plymouth,” said Kevin Walsh. “Using our historic aircraft to illustrate fun-filled STEM labs brings practical relevance to the classes. We’ll make every encounter memorable, inspirational and motivational.”
About Yankee Air Museum: Established in 1981 the Yankee Air Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. The Museum works to positively excite kids and stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to help meet the challenges facing America. Plan now to attend the 20th Annual THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN air show on August 25th and 26th featuring the USAF Thunderbirds jet demonstration team. Yankee Air Museum, located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, Michigan on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport, is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more about us and how we are working to preserve local history with the www.SavetheBomberPlant.org campaign. For more information, call 734-483-4030.
About the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: The Mission of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is to inspire people to discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Our Vision is to be the leader in imaginative and interactive learning experiences. Located at 220 E. Ann Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, AAHOM has convenient hours: Monday, 10-5; Tuesday 9-5; Wednesday 10-5; Thursday 10-8; Friday 10-5; Saturday 10-5 and Sunday Noon -5. For more information, visit the www.aahom.org website.
About Plymouth-Canton Community Schools: Serving Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Canton Township, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools operates 15 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools and an alternative high school program. District maps show the geographic attendance areas for each elementary and middle school. Students are randomly assigned to three high schools. Over 3,000 full-time and part-time employees work to provide students with the educational opportunities they need to become productive citizens in a global community. All P-CCS teachers are teaching in areas in which they are certified by the State of Michigan. All P-CCS elementary teachers meet the federal requirements for highly qualified teachers. For more information, visit the www.pccsk12.com website.
