Robert C . Byrd National Aerospace Education Center
The Robert C . Byrd National Aerospace Education Center is a component of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College . Housed at the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex in Bridgeport , WV , it offers students a quick pathway for lucrative careers in the field of aviation .
Those interested can earn an FAA-certified , two-year associate degree in aviation maintenance technology from Pierpont — the only one of its kind in the state . A recent articulation agreement signed by the center with Southern Illinois University ( SIU ) will enable students to receive their aviation maintenance technology degree at Pierpont and , after completion , attend SIU ’ s online aviation maintenance management associate degree program .
“ We do all of our own testing here for the students ,” says Director Brad Gilbert . “ A student can come in here without knowing anything about airplanes , and we can get them certified right here in house .”
With the help of a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission , the center was able to upgrade its fleet by purchasing a Beechjet , King Air , Cessna 182 retractable gear and Cessna 172 retractable gear . With the purchase of the Beechjet , the center was able to develop a special avionics certificate program to ensure students are up to date on the latest aircraft technology . The center now boasts more than 15 airplanes to train its students .
“ It ’ s been a really exciting year ,” says Gilbert . “ We signed the articulation agreement and just signed two memorandums of understanding with Harrison and Taylor county schools so high school students can begin taking classes here their junior year . We think enrollments are going to continue to grow , and if we have more space in the future , we can be even more flexible .”
For this academic year , the program has 100 students enrolled , the most in the school ’ s history . In the future , center leadership hopes to double the size of its current hangar to store its fleet . Gilbert says the addition of new facilities will allow the center to increase its enrollment numbers by 50 %. •
Inspiring Future STEM Leaders
By Kevin Jones
West Virginia State University ’ s ( WVSU ) Aerospace Education Laboratories ( AELs ) aim to inspire children to pursue careers in STEM . The WVSU Center for the Advancement of STEM operates two AELs in Beckley and Charleston with instruction and educational activities for K-12 youth .
Since their inception , the AELs have inspired more than 20,000 young people to become West Virginia ’ s future STEM experts . Students learn through NASAapproved , hands-on curriculum such as LEGO robotics kits , a microgravity simulator , STAR labs and flight and wind tunnel simulators , which give them the rare opportunity to visualize and replicate flight using wind tunnels .
“ Most wind tunnels in the state are for college students ’ use , so giving K-12 students the chance to experience wind tunnels firsthand is a point of pride for our AELs ,” says WVSU STEM Educator Crystal Bishop .
The wind tunnels are equipped with fog generators , which allow students to identify when the object would be in flight and learn about the aerodynamics of airplanes , cars and rockets through a variety of scale models .
The flight simulators offer a realistic experience in the cockpit . Students virtually pilot their own aircraft within Earth ’ s atmosphere or beyond with space flight simulation . The AELs give a look into an air traffic control room with global positioning satellite and air traffic radio control .
In addition to on-site programming at the AELs , the WVSU Center for the Advancement of STEM traditionally brings instruction into schools and after-school settings but has altered programming methods in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic . While in-person programs are currently on hold , staff members continue to provide programs virtually , including the new Buzz Box initiative , which contains STEM activities shipped to participants for athome learning .
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