March 3rd open house will show how aviation, coupled with dynamic learning environments, can ignite children's passion and potential for STEM subjects

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy (http://www.phoenixaviation.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education through hands-on aviation experiences, is celebrating the opening of its new facility at 10435 Burnet Road, Suite 108, in Austin. On Saturday, March 3, the academy will host two open house events.

At the first event, 1-4 p.m., children and their parents will build model airplanes, ride on a hover craft and test their aviation skills via desktop flight simulators. The event will also feature refreshments, live music and raffle prizes. Attendees will receive information on after-school programs, workshops and summer camps for children aged seven through 18.

The second event, 5-7 p.m., is a reception for pilots and other adults who are interested in the academy's adult programs. Attendees will receive demo flights in the academy's Redbird FMX Full Motion Flight Simulator.

"The purpose of our open house is to highlight our program offerings and new facility along with our desktop flight simulators and full motion flight simulator," states Zay Collier, Executive Director of the academy. The full motion flight simulator is the size of an actual cockpit and allows for state-of-the-art training for pilots as well as youth.

Established in March 2008, the Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy began offering programs in 2011 when it received nonprofit status. The academy offers both youth and adult programs but focuses on outreach to underserved youth through after-school programs that reinforce math and science by relating classroom topics to aeronautical knowledge and experiences.

In addition, the academy's Immersive Aviation Summer Program engages students in grade school through high school via real-world aviation applications of STEM subjects. "We start by teaching students that a force is a push or pull and introduce the four forces of flight," explains Collier. "We then go deeper as they learn how to maneuver the aircraft by manipulating these forces through the flight controls. We explore many different facets of aviation, and as we explore each topic, we correlate the underlying math and science principles."

Collier says he's always been a non-traditional learner and was increasingly frustrated when he saw good students who were interested in STEM subjects become discouraged because of how they were taught. "Our academy uses experiential learning techniques to unlock the potential for learning often untapped by conventional learning methods. Through problem-solving, troubleshooting and hands-on activities, students begin to manage their own learning and also enhance their critical thinking, effective communication and decision-making skills."

For more information on the open house, contact Co-Founder and Development Director Tasha Collier at (512) 588-2359 x1 or tcollier@phoenixaviation.org.

Media contact:

Tasha Collier
Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy
(512) 588-2359
tcollier@phoenixaviation.org

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy

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