A couple weeks ago I went to he EAA for a Teacher’s Conference. The Conference itself was amazing. We had great speakers. The topic was FT Stem and was done by the people from Flite Test. At the end we even had a hands on activity to try and take back with us. We also learned about a couple of great deals while we were there. After we finished with the conference we got to walk the grounds of the EAA. I must say I had high expectations and I was a little disappointed. I am also not a airplane buff and I could only look at so many planes. I expected more planes to be flying through out the day. I also expected to see the amphibians and they were all parked. Next year I will know how to plan things better to get the full enjoyment out of the day!

Let me tell you a little bit about Flite Test. Is was created for people who are passionate about flight. These are the people who are dreamers and engineers that get a thrill from the first launch of a maiden flight. Think about the Wright Brothers!! They had big dreams and they made it happen! The goal is to develop a creative outlet that allows one to work in their daily passion. It is designed to empower our audience, entertain, and educate their viewers.

Flite Test has their own curriculum for K – 12 called FT STEM. The curriculum teaches science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) principles through hands-on aircraft activities. It stressed critical 21-st century skills such as communication and teamwork developed through engineering and design thinking strategies. The world of radio-controlled flight teaches valuable lessons that generate excitement, innovation and creativity and empowers students to reach new heights in their learning.

FT STEM provides FREE four sets of combined grade level appropriate curriculum overviews that communicates suggested unit – lesson implementation, associated National STEM Standards, and Flite Test products to help guide and support future class planning opportunities for educators. During the month of august Teachers can sign up for a free 6 month trial. 

I was really impressed when the topic of design thinking came up. It is the foundation of the development of new technologies. You don’t realized but design is the driving force that forms our societies, and it guides how we see and process information, adapt to our surroundings and communicate. It leads us to plan, create and test as we push for constant progression in the workings of our own lives. I thought of this as a great tool to have in life period. FT-Engineering Design Model (FT-EDM) as a tool, which provides the approach used to structure the research and analysis of problems, the development of possible solutions, creation, and the testing and evaluation of the solution. It really teaches you to become a researcher and problem solver! You have to research what you are planning on doing and at the end you have to  problem solve and test.

I really like how they group things for the grades as well. Each grade goes through the research, design, create, and test stage. I will explain this a little more. Lower Elementary Levels K – 3 – focus on the basic usage of the four sates of the FT-EDM, creating simple problems to use the process to develop a solution. Upper Elementary Levels 4 – 6 – utilize more tools of each stage of the FT-EDM, creating opportunities to expand their design thinking. Middle School Levels 6 – 8 – use increased FT_EDM procedures within their FT STEM online Design Brief, incorporating CAD Drawings, project pictures and videos, and in-depth final solution reflection. High School Levels 9 – 12, FT EDM incorporates the market lens and its influence on the product and how it should be designed. As you can see it builds off each level. You don’t have to know anything to start you can be a beginner!

So just to clarify you can subscribe to their curriculum each year. I was kind of impressed with what the curriculum looked like as they walked through it. I really like their thinking in how the whole program works. It kind teaches you things and applies things to other areas of life. I really like the excitement that they had when they talked about their students and accomplishments. You can buy the kits from them for the projects and curriculum. He did mention you didn’t have to and could use other things. I haven’t looked at the curriculum yet so I guess I would get a feel for it more once I look at it. I wanted to share this info with you in case you wanted to check it out.

One of the sessions I went to mentioned grants. They did say that homeschoolers could apply for it to. I would like to get a homeschool co0p started in my area so this is something on my to do list. It didn’t go into depth but the information is on their website to check out.

For More Visit: 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ftstem

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/flitetest

There is another resource I want to share from the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education. For a one time $35.00 membership fee this brings you dozens of FREE products and programs. The curriculum that they had laid out was really interesting. Charles Lindbergh, and Amelia Earhart was a couple that caught my eye. My daughter is so fascinated with Amelia Earhart. This program helps to develop the aerospace/STEM workforce for the future. It engages youth in captivating lessons and activities. The free resources are available both online and in print to adapt to multiple teaching and learning styles. I love how it adapts to different learning styles! There is also additional online references that provide an abundance of extra STEM resources. Who doesn’t like to have  resources? It gives then the experience with hands-on learning with free programs including Gr K – 12 STEM kits in astronomy, robotics, flight simulation, coding, engineering, rocketry, quadcopter, and more. This is one thing I will be signing up for next month!

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