Aviation Advantage
BY PAUL A. HERSHORIN, EAA 553816
Dual enrollment high school aviation program
ONE OF THE LATEST ADVANCES IN EDUCATION is a dual enrollment
program, in which classes taught in a high school are sponsored by
a college or university. Upon completion the student receives both
high school and college credit for satisfactory completed work.
Five years ago, I was hired by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University (ERAU) to start a dual enrollment aviation STEM
(science, technology, engineering, and math) program called
Boynton Aerospace Science Academy (BASA). This program was
started at Boynton Beach Community High School in Boynton
Beach, Florida. The
high school serves
a population of
low socioeconomic
income students,
37 percent of
whom are English
language learners. In
addition, the school
historically has been
a low-performing
school with gang
activity.
Today, five years
later, there are 131
EAA REACHES URUGUAY
By Glen Brodeur, EAA 97159
THE CALL FOR HELP CAME ACROSS the Taylorcraft Foundation
daily forum. Miguel Lafon of Durazno, Uruguay, was looking for
drawings to help him repair the wings of his 1946 Taylorcraft BC-
12D. Although Miguel does not speak English, he is able to read
and write it and said that he “improved” his English by translating
some of EAA’s how-to book series into Spanish over a period of
time. Aided by another Taylorcraft forum member, Miguel was
able to tell his story and the history of civil aviation in Uruguay.
Inspired by what I saw, I offered to help. Using an online
translator, I asked Miguel if he was an EAA member. Miguel
replied that with an exchange rate of almost 20 to one, it was
not economically feasible. An international membership that
costs $56 equals 1, 107 Uruguayan pesos!
I called EAA headquarters and, thanks to a complimentary
six-month membership program, set up Miguel’s membership
students in the aviation program. To
remain in the program students must
maintain at least a “B” average in their
aviation courses and a 2. 5 grade point
average in all their academic work. Goals
of the program and the expectations
of the students are set at a very high
level, requiring the students to reach
for success.
and paid the modest fee to cover the
postage cost of EAA Sport Aviation
to Uruguay. When I asked how many
EAA members there are in Uruguay,
the answer came back, “As of now,
one—Miguel.” I told Miguel’s story
at the next Chapter 1035 (Danielson,
Connecticut) meeting and asked for a
motion to make Miguel, EAA 1074948,
an honorary member. As expected, the
vote was unanimous! We can now add
one member and one new country to
the growing list of EAA members
around the world. Welcome to the EAA
family, Miguel!
