The Bay Net: Pax River Flight Academy Ready to Soar

By Dick Myers

The academy is the first of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region and only one of ten in the country. It will be similar to those established in Pensacola, Florida. It applies science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to teach aviation in an immersive, game-based learning environment.

The program is the result of an agreement between the St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) and the Patuxent Partnership (TPP) made possible through a $250,000 grant to TPP from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). In remarks during the ceremony NAWCAD Executive Director Gary Kessler, a former school board member, told of visiting the flight academy in Pensacola on several occasions. From that experience came the idea to do the same thing in St. Mary's County. "It is one more step in the continuum of NAWCAD's presence in the community," he said.

Patuxent Partnership Executive Director Bonnie Green thanked Kessler for his leadership in securing the grant. In remarks prepared for the event, Green said, "The ACE classroom will reinforce and build on STEM fundamentals and the importance of science and math in succeeding in technology-based careers."

Norman Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin and former member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, also spoke briefly. He said, "This is a STEM world and a STEM economy."

School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano, a former math and science teacher, said of the ACE classroom: "Hands on learning is what turns our minds on." Martirano credited Rep. Steny Hoyer for helping the school system advance the STEM program through congressional funding.

"Training and securing a twenty-first century workforce is a key part of remaining the world's leading economy, and it's a major goal of the Make It In America plan I'm leading in Congress," said Rep. Hoyer (D: MD 5th). "This innovative partnership is an example of the kind of programs we need all over the country to help us achieve that goal, and I look forward to working with the local school system and their partners in the community to build a competitive workforce here in Southern Maryland and ensure our students can succeed." 

State School Superintendent Dr. Lillian Lowery was also in attendance, as were four of the five school board members and several of the county commissioners.

Executive Director of College and Career Readiness and the tech center Theo Cramer served as Master of ceremonies for the event. Leonardtown H.S. student Omomayokun Emeka Bruno Ojo led those at the ceremony in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chopticon H.S. student Rachel Escolopio sang the National Anthem.

After the ribbon cutting attendees were given a tour of the ACE classroom and a demonstration of the flight simulators.

Lyn Whitman, retired naval aviator and current program manager for the Lockheed Martin F-35 USMC, has been selected to be ACE coordinator. "He will develop the curriculum and collaborate with teachers to develop lesson plans that reinforce and enrich STEM and other subjects, including reading, language arts, social science and history," according to a release from SMCPS.