Homeschool Aviation Focused Classes at the Aviation Challenge Facility at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The classes on Thursday have been filled so Wednesday Classes have been added. If you’re interested in these classes SIGN UP NOW!

I’ve mentioned before how much I LOVE the US Space and Rocket Center. When we found out we would be traveling to Huntsville with my husbands’ job several years ago, it was the first place we visited. Anyone who has watched Space Camp will certainly understand, right?

Well, I’m really excited to tell you that the US Space and Rocket Center is now offering a series of 6 fall homeschool classes that focus specifically on aviation and held at their Aviation Challenge facility!

Here are the details:   

Cost: $99 for the 6-week session
Ages: 9 through 14
When: Thursdays from 1pm - 3pm
To register, contact Thelma Stephens @ 256.721.7200
or send questions to thelmas@spacecamp.com

Only 40 spaces available so reserve today! See the note at the top of the post- Thursday classes are FILLED but Wednesday classes have been added due to the popularity of this 6 week course!

Week One: Aviation Orientation
October 13th, 2011
Aircraft Tour:  Tour the aircraft of Aviation Challenge and see how the aircraft design helps in military combat and strategy.                                                                           Air Crew Equipment: Students will have hands-on experience in an aircraft cockpit  & learn about the gear and equipment needed to function in a high performance jet.                                                                                                                                                      Introduction to Flight:  Students will be briefed on the elementary principles of flight.

Week Two: Strategic Communication & Teamwork
October 20th, 2011
Patrolling: Students will be introduced to concepts and strategies that will help communication and movement in a tactical situation.                                                   Search & Rescue Mission: Students will conduct a search & rescue mission to retrieve a down pilot and secure Top Secret documents.

Week Three: Leadership Development
October 27th, 2011
Students will focus on teamwork, leadership and communication while working to complete various low rope challenges.

Week Four: Survival Challenge
November 3rd, 2011
Intro to Land Survival: Students will learn the importance of mental toughness when in a survival situation with S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. acronym and other helpful lessons.
Fire Craft: Students will learn six different types of fire lays to build in the wilderness.
Shelter Building: Students will learn four different types of shelters to build in the wilderness.
Food & Water Procurement: Students will learn what types of foods can be found in the wilderness and how to purify water from unknown sources.

Week Five: Aerodynamics & Aeronautics
November 10th, 2011
Aviation Lab: Students will be instructed by Commander Dennis "Hoot" Turner (USN, Ret.) on the fundamentals of aerodynamics, aeronautics, and propulsion.

Week Six: Flight Physiology
November 17th, 2011
Flight Physiology: Students will learn what the human body must endure to be a high performance jet pilot. Students will be educated on various visual and vestibular illusions, anatomy of the eye and inner ear.
Barney Chair Simulation:Students will experience a sample of the vestibular illusions a pilot might experience.
G-Force at Museum: Students will experience 4 Gs on their bodies while riding the Rocket Park version of a centrifuge.

Don’t these classes sound amazing? I only wish we were still living in Alabama so my daughter could enjoy them!

Make sure you visit their webpage announcing their homeschool classes.