ACE Academy Enrollments Continue to Rise

GILFORD — This summer's ACE Academies operated by the non-profit WinnAero, are nearing capacity for enrollments. Interested students and parents should file an application as soon as possible for consideration.

Applications and course descriptions, faculty backgrounds and other pertinent information are available for download at www.winnaero.org. Seats are still available for the elementary age students Academy which is scheduled to run at the Laconia Airport August 4-8, mornings only. The Middle School session and advanced ACE for high school students will run simultaneously from July 28-Aug 1.

"We are very pleased that enrollments for Summer 2014 are up" said WinnAero President Bill Seed. "I am especially pleased because this year, based on previous years' successes and feedback, we've expanded the format to run three ACE Academies with instruction and hands-on activities geared to varying age groups" Seed added. He cited parental and youth interest in STEM-related hands-on learning in a fun environment as one factor in the high enrollment.

The second factor is faculty Seed said. Led by WinnAero Educational Programming Director Dan Caron, a teacher with 35 years' experience in teaching technology and engineering, the staff includes a 24 year technology educator, an 11 year engineering and physics teacher, a certified counselor and a retired airline captain who began his flying career in 1960 and is still flying light aircraft.

"The depth of experience our faculty offers in STEM-related aviation subjects is amazing" Seed said. He noted that Caron was the Air Force Association's Christa McAuliffe Teacher of the Year for New Hampshire in 2004 and the Civil Air Patrol Teacher of the Year for New Hampshire in 2014.

Anyone seeking more information about the ACE Academies or WinnAero is invited to visit the website. As WinnAero is a federally recognized 501-c (3) non-profit staffed 100% by unpaid volunteers, donations are welcome. See the secure donor button on the website to help WinnAero bring aviation and aerospace-related learning to area youth.