by Dave Weiman
Midwest Flyer – Oct/Nov 2016
The Central High School Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Aviation Program in Westosha, Wis., is proud to announce that two of their students obtained their private pilot certificates on August 25, 2016 in an aircraft they helped build, and are now attending the School of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
The students are Olivia Rasmussen and Nicole Jackson who passed their flight tests flying “Falcon One,” a Van’s Aircraft RV-12 built by the students as part of the STEM program.
STEM programs emphasize the importance of setting goals, planning, teamwork, and respect for one another as students work on complicated processes and problems that scientists and engineers face on a daily basis.
After an aircraft is built as part of the class project, students may use it free of charge to obtain their private pilot certificate, thereby eliminating a huge financial barrier in learning to fly.
The success at Central High School is a great example of what can be accomplished by students of all races, nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds when they realize their potential, set goals and are willing to work at completing their education.
Congratulations to these students, and to Central High School Aviation Program instructor, James Senft, for showing them that the opportunities in aviation are limitless!
