Aviation Academy focuses on learning, fun
ADA, Okla. – Trejan Blue spent five days this summer at Chickasaw Nation Aviation and Space Academy because he had a break in his baseball schedule.
Because of this decision, the Ada 12-year-old had the opportunity to exercise his mind, creativity and learn more about world of aviation and space during the annual CNASA, which culminated Friday, June 17 with rockets launches, solar car races and a balloon toss.
Open to Chickasaw students, CNASA is packed with fun and educational activities which incorporate science and math into the curriculum.
Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said the eighth-annual academy was developed to encourage young people to consider careers in science, mathematics and technology.
"We want to inspire these students to set their goals high and work hard to achieve their dreams. This academy, along with the FIRST robotics program and other educational ventures help expand students' horizons," said Gov. Anoatubby.
Forty students spent the week learning about the history of aviation and designed and built water bottle rockets, weather stations, model planes and solar cars. These hands-on activities allowed the students to understand the mechanics of aviation. The activities also encouraged team-work and creative design.
Building the solar cars was listed as one of the students' favorite activities. Students were able to transform a bag of gears, wheels and a small motor, plus a small solar panel into a functioning vehicle by the end of the week.
Working intently, the team of Jayson Morgan, 11, Trejan Blue, 12, and Matthew Stafford, 11, patiently tweaked and adjusted their solar car in preparation of the final day's activities.
"We were able to do a lot of creative thinking," said Trejan. "When I first saw the bag of stuff, I was afraid our car would not be very good, now I am proud of it."
CNASA also offered plenty of thrills, especially when the students flew in an aircraft at Tulsa's Riverside Airport. A few students were even able to pilot the plane, including Andrea Underwood, 10, of Ada.
"I was a little nervous at first, but then we flew over a lake and a lot of houses and it was really cool."
The day also included a trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, Okla.
Students from Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Kentucky attended the camp.
The week ended with an awards ceremony at the McSwain Theatre.
The CNASA program was established in 2003 and takes place each June. The academy is open to Chickasaw students grades five through 12. For more information about CNASA, call (580) 421-7711 or visit www.Chickasaw.net.
