Hoyer Attends Pax River Flight Academy Ribbon Cutting

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Pax River Flight Academy in the atrium of the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. Congressman Hoyer joined officials from St. Mary's County Public Schools, the Patuxent Partnership, and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), who partnered to create the Flight Academy.

The Flight Academy is an Aviation Classroom Experience (ACE) that immerses middle and high school students in a state of the art learning environment that applies Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and provides students with access to flight simulators, an air traffic control lab, and a mission command center. It is the first ACE program in the mid-Atlantic region.

"I applaud St. Mary's County Public Schools, the Patuxent Partnership, and NAWCAD on their commitment to preparing our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow," stated Congressman Hoyer. "For middle and high school students, this new Aviation Classroom Experience will mean exciting opportunities for hands-on, game-based learning in the STEM fields. By providing our students with this new learning environment and connecting them with skilled professionals in advanced technology fields, we can help set them on pathways to careers in manufacturing and other high-wage industries."

"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," continued Congressman Hoyer. "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."  

"This partnership demonstrates the beneficial ways children are supported in St. Mary's County. Federal and state legislators along with naval officials and other members of the defense community have proven once again to the community that they stand ready to provide children with an exemplary STEM education," said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery. "Students will be actively engaged in learning, acquiring new skills in the very important areas of science, technology, engineering and math."

"The Aviation Classroom Experience will be a unique opportunity for students to work together, solving problems in an immersive, aviation game-based learning environment," said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, Superintendent of St. Mary's County Public Schools. "The classroom will integrate mathematics and science with the learning skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity to provide a comprehensive learning experience."

"Our commitment is to advance education through STEM initiatives to develop our future workforce," said Bonnie Green, Executive Director.  "The ACE classroom will reinforce and build on STEM fundamentals and the importance of science and math in succeeding in technology-based careers."

"The future workforce requirements for the Navy at Pax River are critical," said Mr. Gary Kessler, Executive Director for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and Deputy Assistant Commander for T&E for Naval Air Systems Command. "The ACE program is an important initiative to develop the future workforce and emphasize the importance of STEM careers.  NAWCAD is pleased to provide the grant to bring the ACE classroom to St. Mary's County."

"The new Flight Academy is a wonderful way to introduce students to the importance of science, mathematics and engineering – all while having fun," said Norman Augustine, former Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin. "As an aeronautical engineer myself, I am acutely aware of the importance of these fields in creating jobs and building careers in the new global economy that is so heavily vested in high tech."

The Flight Academy was created with funding from the Patuxent Partnership, which they received from NAWAC. Retired naval aviator and current Program Manager for Lockheed Martin's F-35 USMC, Lyn Whitmer, will serve as the ACE Coordinator, developing curriculum and collaborating with teachers on lesson plans.