AVIATION and SPACE STUDIES INSTITUTE ASSI - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Auburn University’s

Aviation and Space

Studies Institute

• An ad hoc committee began discussions regarding university interests in aviation and space early in the year 2000.
• Those discussions led to a proposal to establish a formal entity here at Auburn University in order to:
• Bridge the interests of traditional departments
• Promote faculty development through teaching, research and

outreach

• Develop courses for students in various programs
• Promote the national and international image of Auburn

University

AVIATION and SPACE STUDIES INSTITUTE (ASSI)at AUBURN UNIVERSITY

• Focusing university interests in aviation and space
• A number of people participated in the discussions that led to the institute from different parts of the university:
• Aerospace Engineering
• Aviation Management
• Science and Math
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System
• History
• Computer Science
• Library
• Outreach, Colleges of Business and Engineering
• Economics
• Others

From the first flight....

100 Years since the Wright Brothers First Flight!

To the space shuttle...

With a Flying school at what is now called Maxwell Air Force Base, in Montgomery....

...and shuttle development at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville!

• Many developments and resources in Alabama:
• Marshall Space Flight Center
• Redstone Arsenal of Huntsville
• Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery
• US Army Aviation Center of Fort Rucker
• Teledyne Continental Aircraft Motors of Mobile
• The State is home to the world's fourth largest aircraft composites manufacturing facility in Tallassee, the builder of the Voyager (round the world record holding aircraft)
• Major aerospace production plants in Montgomery and Troy and rework facilities in Birmingham and Dothan.
• More than any other state, Alabama is given credit for putting the men on the moon and maintaining US leadership in the industry through advanced missile, airplane and helicopter design, development, testing and production.

• More flight crewmembers, airline and aviation executives, and airport managers have started out at Auburn University than any other state school in the Southeast through the Aviation Management Program.
• The Aerospace History Program has more published aerospace historians than any other academic institution in the country.

• The Aerospace Engineering Department has produced more Aerospace Engineers than any other school in the state and was recognized for its pioneering research when it claimed Discover Magazine's top award in Aviation and Aerospace technology in 1998.
• Researchers are further supported by one of the finest aerospace archives outside of the Smithsonian Institution.
• Students and educators from K - Ph.D. are sparked and recruited by a nationally recognized Extension System which provides regular training sessions, presentations and seminars in the areas of space and flight.

One of the key components of focusing university interests in aviation and space is that of outreach. Outreach is the "extending of services or activities beyond current or usual limits" as defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. With education as the impetus and foundation of the initiative on aviation and space studies, educational outreach will address potential opportunities such as:

• Programs to improving public awareness of Auburn University's role in aviation and space.
• History resources; archives, museum, visitor's center, etc.
• University research programs; aerospace engineering, Space Power

Institute, etc.

• Contributions to the aviation and space industries
• Using aviation and space to help improve literacy in science, math and technology as well as many other disciplines among K-12 and college students.
• Utilize outreach systems of the university; Cooperative Extension

System, College of Education, School of Sciences & Math, etc.

• Teacher training workshops, special camp programs
• College courses of study for basic awareness
• Courses of study for education majors; potentially a degree in

aerospace education

• Certification program in aerospace education; work with UAA and CAA,

College of Education, and others

• Programs to enhance the awareness of students, K-12 and college, of potential career opportunities in the aviation and space field.
• Develop with the industry short term and long term

strategies for attracting young people to technical careers in

aviation and space

• Partnerships with other organizations to improve aviation and space outreach for the state, region and nation.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• University Aviation Association
• National Coalition for Aviation Education
• Civil Air Patrol
• Alabama Aerospace Teachers Association
• Other Education organizations, etc.
• Host outreach support functions
• Online and print newsletters
• Clearinghouse
• Teacher training
• Conference support, etc.

• Fostering leadership in aerospace education.
• Facilitate leadership forums in support of aviation and

space education.

• Building collaborations for education within the aviation

and space communities.

• Outreach programs may also be developed to help address needs in the business and industry community of the state and region.
• Research
• Economic development
• Workforce improvement, etc.

• Campus Forums on Aviation and Space - Interested faculty and staff
• Identify programs that might be supported through ASSI

- 4-H Missions in Space (partnership with Space Camp) - Space Day linkage

• Grant opportunities

- NASA Education

- Industry

• Initiate plans for course in aviation and space studies

- Work with interested faculty

• Aerospace Workshops for Educators

- Civil Air Patrol, Aerospace Teachers Association, etc.