Engineers For America
Air Force Armament Museum Air Armament Institute
Engineers for America (EFA) is a locally conceived program that builds on national and state emphasis on science and engineering studies for elementary and middle school students. The Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, the award winning Okaloosa County School District, and representatives of local colleges and universities have developed a unique curriculum that presents the displays at the Armament Museum as practical real world engineering problems to interest and motivate younger students.
Purpose and Program:
Engineers for America (EFA) is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based educational program for elementary and middle school students (5th through the 8th grade) in Okaloosa County located in the Florida panhandle. The Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, the award winning Okaloosa County School District (OCSD), and representatives of local colleges and universities developed a formal curriculum. It includes first, a tour of museum exhibits and then second, conduct of a series of experiments called sorties. The program is designed to motivate more students into technical careers to meet the critical shortage of engineers, scientists and mathematicians the United States faces in the future. The sorties also provide the students with the opportunity to master the grade- level benchmarks that are assessed on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Teat (FCAT).
Notably, 14 of 22 elementary schools in the county are Title 1 funded (these schools receive supplemental funds from the Department of Education to meet the needs of at-risk and low income students).
Methodology:
Teachers will use museum displays to explore scientific principles to develop analytical and technical skills which in turn will be passed on to students. Success in applying scientific principals will motivate interested students and interest those who might otherwise not have been presented with this opportunity. EFA is intended to benefit those who might pursue a vocational program or an advanced degree in science or engineering. In each instance, students will be better prepared to one day compete and work in the Northwest Florida area workforce as technicians, scientists or engineers.
Participants:
The EFA Working group is co-chaired by the Armament Museum Foundation President, Lt. General (Ret.) Gordon Fornell and Mr. Howard Dimmig. Mr. Dimmig had previously chaired the Foundation’s Education Study that suggested the Museum Foundation pursue education programs as the most appropriate investment to encourage public support and recognition of the Air Armment Museum. Other members of the Working Group include senior representatives from the Okaloosa County School District, notably the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Non-Traditional Education and the Principal from Choctaw High School. UWF, Embry-Riddle, Troy, the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and representatives of local Chambers of Commerce are included in the working group. The group first met in January 2006 and now has over thirty members who meet regularly to advance Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) instruction through Engineers for America and complementary local programs such as CHOICE, Okaloosa County School District’s award winning career institutes program for high school students.
Executive Committee:
The EFA Executive Committee is co-chaired by the Armament Museum Foundation President, Lt. General (Ret.) Gordon Fornell and Mr. Howard Dimmig. Mr. Dimmig chaired the Foundation's Education Study that suggested the museum Foundation pursue education programs as the best investment to both promote the museum and to help America develop the technical workforce of the future to keep the nation both strong and competitive in the world marketplace. Other members of the Executive Committee include: senior officials from the Okaloosa County School District, notably the Superintendent and the Director of Math and Science Curriculum, the Principal and Assistant Principal of Choctawhatchee High School, officials from the University of West Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Eglin Air Force Base organizations, and community leaders.
 Guided Class Tour Curriculum Development:
The Okaloosa County School District developed the EFA curriculum in concert with members of the Foundation's Board of Directors and staff members of the University of West Florida. A first education summer session was held at the museum in July 2006. This week long session introduced elementary level teachers to scientific inquiry and problem solving. A second session, Teach the Teachers, was conducted in June 2007 under the lead of Mr. Rick Soria, Assistant Principal, Choctawhatchee High School and Ms. Shawnea Tallman, Director of Math and Science Curriculum, OCSD. In this Teach the Teachers session, 22 teachers were formally trained on the original 5 sorties developed and certified as lead teachers. The curriculum has since been expanded. There are now 17 different sorties for elementary level students and 11 different sorties for middle school students.
Program Participation:
On 13 November 2007, 42 5th grade students from Longwood Elementary in Shalimar, FL came to the museum as the very first EFA classroom visit. Student participation has grown significantly from the program's beginning. During the 2007/2008 school year 653 students came to the museum; 2008/2009 - 960 students, 2009/2110 - 894 and 1108 students participated in the 2010/2011 school year.
View Experimental Sorties:
Press Releases:
 Engineers For America Class Photo Armament Museum Education Center:
EFA instruction will be greatly enhanced when the Foundation's current capital campaign is completed: a 10,000 square foot "state of the art" education center to be built immediately adjacent to the current museum. The center's design has been approved by Eglin AFB officials and construction will begin when funds sufficiency is reached.
Local Support:
Letters of support have been received from the Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview and Twin Cities Chambers of Commerce, the Workforce Development Board and the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County. Continuing support of educational and business leaders adds significant credibility to the EFA initiative and facilitates fund raising efforts to include obtaining state and national level grants.
Your Interest and Support:
Your interest and support are appreciated in advance. Contact Paul Maryeski, Foundation Executive Director, at 850.830.3321 or EDAFAMF@cox.net for more information. Thank you.
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