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Academy Focuses on STEM and Career Concepts

The West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA), located at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, first opened its doors in the fall of 2010 to eighty freshmen.  The emphasis of the public charter school is to provide their students with a rigorous college prep education, proper study and time-management skills, and a career focus that will prepare them for a successful college experience upon graduation. The school is the brainchild of local businessman, Dick DeVos, who is a pilot and has served on the state Board of Education.  Mr. Patrick Cwayna Sr., chief executive of the academy, recently stated “students and families not only endorse our goals, but they are also attracted to our smaller school environment”.  Student enrollment is now at 145 in two grades with a plan to eventually serve up to 600 students when all four grade levels are in place.  The WMAA is currently planning a $4-$5 million expansion to their facilities beginning early in 2012.

One of the aviation-themed high school’s new sophomore level courses focuses on STEM education principles and contains “many unique features”, according to Mr. Ron Baum, the instructor.  The course is titled “Introduction to Engineering Principles and Robotic Systems” and is offered in a daily two hour block.  The program is designed to introduce students to a large variety of engineering and robotic concepts while integrating scientific and mathematic principles throughout the curriculum.  “Our students are very fortunate to have tremendous support from our board of directors, building administration, and local industry”, commented Baum.  “They are receiving a very high quality experience in many technology and engineering principles currently used in the aviation and space industries,” he continued.  The school is enjoying the benefits of several local industries who are excited to be involved in the academy and this new course.  GE Aviation, Rockwell Automation, Eaton, and Rapid Control Services have already donated software, microcomputers, sensors, and electronic and pneumatic components.  GE Aviation is also helping to sponsor the engineering-robotics course, print the text-lab book, provide guest presenters, and establish mentorship program.  “The continued growth of the West Michigan Aviation Academy will provide a needed boost in the areas of aviation and technical education, with a growth path for future engineering students,” said George Kiefer, vice president and general manager, Avionics North America for GE in a recent Grand Rapids Press article.

A few of the unique features Baum built into the engineering-robotics course are peer-teaching, on-going interaction with professional engineers and technicians, applied science and mathematics concepts throughout lab activities, student writing and speaking opportunities, in-class competitions, and collaborative “engineering teams” that research and present technical information using online resources.  Baum concluded by saying, “Our students are being well prepared for ‘life after high school’ as we consistently focus on developing professional employability skills and character traits around the STEM concepts that are so critically needed in today’s technically-focused job market”.