Aviation Museum at Marietta, Georgia will feature a groundbreaking education program that will increase the interest of K-12 students in science, mathematics, technology and engineering.
According to a report by the National Academy of Engineering entitled Raising Public Awareness of Engineering, “China produces three times the number of engineers (as the United States), the European Union nearly twice as many, and Japan about two-thirds more.” The graph to the right shows the number of engineering degrees awarded from 1988 to 2003.
The decline in the numbers of engineers graduated in the United States in absolute terms is not precipitous but considering that it should be increasing, the deficit is serious. It should be noted that the apparent increase in the last three years is mostly due to the increase in computer engineering.
From 1991 to 2001 the number of high school graduates who chose engineering as their college major declined from 8.5% to 5.5%. The decline in technology degrees is significantly greater than that of engineering degrees.
The NAE report also states, “Our national security and competitiveness, as well as our standard of living, depend on our technology-driven strength.” For this reason, museum exhibits and programs will inspire K-12 students to act to increase our nation’s engineering capabilities and technological strength.
North Springs High School Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program visits Lockheed Martin on a fieldtrip sponsored by Aviation Museum at Marietta, Georgia in December 2003
The Aviation Museum Education Center will also attempt to develop K-12 students’ critical and analytical thinking skills. Our present education system does not adequately address this need. According to Craig Barrett, former Intel CEO, “Our future competitiveness depends on taking bold steps to improve the quality of our K-12 system and its graduates.” The lessons of the aircraft plant and the airplanes designed and produced there are ideal for use in critical thinking modules and exercises. The Aviation Museum at Marietta, Georgia is presently developing innovative curriculum to teach critical and analytical thinking skills. AMMG staff is working to create learning experiences that integrate the museum’s curriculum with the Georgia Performance Standards. It is the goal of the Education Committee to develop and imbed critical and analytical thinking skills in lessons for all students not just those pursuing the hard sciences by working on real life problems.
Museum participants will accomplish their museum pursuits through the use of project or problem-based learning accompanied by scientific investigations that will serve as the building blocks for application of acquired skills and content knowledge. Teachers will be placed in the role of facilitator of knowledge while students embark on a world of active learning and self-discovery that will give them a sense of purpose and understanding of aviation content-related skills and concepts.
Our staff will be the key link in opening the minds of children to limitless investigative opportunities. The staff will be carefully interviewed and specifically selected on the basis of their educational background, integrity, interest and prior involvement in math, science and technology. It is our desire to have a first-class staff who specialize in the use of problem-based, integrated, technologically driven thematic instruction.
