NewComers
Bob Underwood
Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376
During the less-than-a-year life of this column, we have presented information about a bunch of current educational programs. Some of these are general NewComer types, while the bulk are directed specifically toward youth. The youth programs range from simple one-shot community-based activities to highly developed concepts incorporated in school environments.
I am currently in contact with individuals in Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania who are deeply involved with incorporating aviation technology—through modeling—into the school setting.
In one case, the program being developed is tied to a system that covers eight states. Since a center for this system is located in Muncie at Ball State University, the Academy is hoping to provide a pilot program at the National Flying Site. Between Ball State and AMA, more than adequate facilities exist to make the program a success. More later, as it develops.
The one fact that hit me between the eyes was the number of responses that occurred telling of individual and club-developed programs for youth. These have been happening quietly with little or no recognition.
In an effort to discover more about these programs and to encourage others to attempt them, I worked through Headquarters to develop an incentive program for presentation to the Executive Council. It was approved at the April Council meeting. While it is very modest in nature at this point, hopefully it will help us get off dead center.
The program, called YES (Youth Educational Stipend), is designed to provide seed money for AMA clubs and chapters to use in developing and funding youth activities. An effort is being made to obtain a level of documentation that will provide guidance for the creation of a generic program for the Academy. Another positive feature will be the development of a corps of individuals trained in working with youth-related activities.
Youth Aviation Activity Fund — YES! (Youth Educational Stipend)
Moved: That a fund be created called Youth Educational Stipend (YES) designed to provide monies to AMA-chartered clubs or chapters for youth programs. These programs are to be developed and implemented by the clubs/chapters working in conjunction with educational institutions or community agencies for the instruction of youth in aeromodeling.
The monies placed in this fund shall be obtained from donations and through general AMA revenue. Beginning in 1996, the general revenue portion added to the fund each year shall equal $0.04 per Open paid AMA member, utilizing the previous year's membership numbers. Monies not disbursed during any given year will be retained in the fund for future distribution.
The following guidelines shall be used for the disbursement of monies from the YES fund:
- Application may be made by the officers of an AMA-chartered club or chapter at any time during the year.
- The application must include the following minimum information:
- A. Name and charter club/chapter number
- B. Signatures of current club/chapter officers
- C. Program name
- D. Name of educational institution or community agency involved
- E. Complete outline/syllabus of the program
- F. Amount of funds requested
- The syllabus should include the following minimum information:
- A. Desired goals for the program
- B. Time frame for instruction
- C. Materials to be used
- D. Instructional techniques
- E. Details of culminating activity, if any
- F. Any plans for continuing student contact, if any
Each club/chapter may apply for grants in two successive years. The requests will be screened by an Educational Committee composed of the AMA Educational Director, one Executive Council member, and a member at large. Grants up to $1,000 may be awarded for each of two successive years. Intent to maintain the program for a second year and a request for second year's funding is required. Renewal of the grant beyond a two-year period or at a future date may be considered through Executive Council action.
Each club/chapter awarded a grant must agree to the following:
- To provide a minimum of two reports about the activity status during and at the conclusion of the program. A photographic record is encouraged.
- To provide a general accounting of the manner in which the funds were expended.
- To retain any equipment purchased with the funds as property of the club/chapter.
- To allow the AMA to distribute and/or promote the program information through its membership service.
Talk to your club and start planning. If you submit your program, send it to Bob Underwood, Education Director, Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376; Tel.: (314) 447-4235.
While those of you living in Connecticut will learn of this note late for this year, we wanted to let you know about a program called the Summer Technology Camp, to be held at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT. News of this weeklong program held in late June came by way of Dr. Gordon Schmitt, superintendent of the district. He is interested in the activities of transportation, communication, and engineering. Rocketry and airplane design are part of the program.
We have a primary reason for mentioning this activity. A phone call to him stretched almost an hour. The enthusiasm he exhibited for providing youth modeling activities, especially at the middle-school level, came through quite clearly. So, too, did his offer to help develop a clearinghouse for information as we gather programs and move toward establishing a specific AMA activity.
As we shared experiences, ideas, and philosophies, it was amazing to find names and events in common. It's definitely a small world — but fortunately it's filled with people like Gordon, who have big plans and the drive to see them through!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
