Two Teachers Awarded 2015 SAFE Grants

Teachers Doug James of Georgia and Scott Cutler of Washington State have received this year’s 2015 K-12 Classroom Teacher Grant Awards from the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators.

Teachers Doug James of Georgia and Scott Cutler of Washington State have received this year's 2015 K-12 Classroom Teacher Grant Awards from the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators. SAFE awards the grants annually to help stimulate interest in aviation-related education as part of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies.

Mr. James is a third grade teacher at Metter Intermediate School in Metter, Georgia, while science teacher Cutler teaches grades 8-12 at at A.G. West Black Hills High School in Olympia. Each SAFE grant is $250. Both teachers also receive complimentary one-year SAFE memberships. Mr. James will use his grant to purchase a specialized LEGO Education We Do Combo kit for his third grade students to enhance the school's blossoming STEM program. With it, his students will explore life at the International Space Station, use the scientific method to investigate the effects on gravity and examine other scientific topics related to space exploration as part of the LEGO Bricks in Space Program.

Cutler, who is both a flight instructor and science teacher, will use his SAFE grant for his high school students in Olympia to test various airfoil designs, study different types of aircraft propulsion systems, and fly their designs in computer flight simulators. As part of his proposal for the SAFE grant, he created an aeronautical engineering course to "draw students into the field of aviation or careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)."

Grant proposals are reviewed by a committee of SAFE aviation educators and evaluated on uniqueness of the project, lasting effect of the learning outcomes, and feasibility of replicating the lesson or project by other aviation educators. SAFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership association dedicated to supporting and promoting aviation education at all levels of learning. SAFE is a recognized leader in pilot training reform, safety education, and the mentoring of aviation educators. For information on free resource materials and membership, go to www.safepilots.org.