Questions and Answers
Q: What is the youngest age you will allow in your class?
A: This is a hard one because we have had younger students in the class in the past. Each student is different. The successful students are the ones who can stay focused on a team task even when it is not their turn to do something. They are the students who can stay focused on building their model without getting distracted in conversation. They are the students who are ready to take notes or are willing to learn about taking notes during the lesson. If your student is not quite Middle School age and you feel your student is enthusiastic about learning about engineering and airplane design, can stay focused, can take notes (or is willing to learn how), and is able to work with some basic tools, write to us.
Q: I want to know how hard the math is.
A: Some students will get the math and some will come away with a basic understanding. We will work hard with each student to make sure they have at least a general feel for the concepts being taught. This is an introductory class to expose students to what is possible and the types of equations engineers work with. No one should be worried about the class due to the math.
Q: Do you use computers?
A: No. All we use is calculators, pencil, paper, and good old brain power.
Q: Can Parents/Caregivers stay during the class?
A: Parents/Caregivers are always welcome to stay. Parents/Caregivers may observe and help when asked, but cannot be students in the class. We ask that parents/caregivers who stay are not disruptive to the class, do not use cell phones for calls in the classroom, do not participate in discussions or answer questions in class (unless asked to), and that conversations are kept quiet. Watch out though, we may rope you into helping in some way.
Q: What is your "illness policy"?
A: Our instructor is a young and very active 88 year old person who takes great pleasure in teaching this class, but we do have "illness" guidelines to help keep him healthy:
• If you are coughing, sneezing and/or have a runny nose all over the place, please stay home even if you think it might be an allergy.
• Important: We ask that students be free of fever without the need for medicine for at least 48 hours before coming to class and not have any symptoms of illness. It's a little harder for our instructor to fight off illness. His immune system is not quite as strong to fight off something that may seem harmless to most people. We are happy to arrange time to make up any missed classes for those students who miss class due to illness.
Q: What happens in the class?
A: There will be some lecture/discussion covering Aeronautical Engineering concepts and equations. This will include some videos and the opportunity for students to "show and tell" about related projects they are working on. The rest of the time will be spent working on models and working on team-work projects where the students need to be able to pay good attention. Being on time to class is important.
Q: What if my child is a returning student? Will there be anything new?
A: Our continuing students will always have new things to learn and be given leadership roles if they would like (and even if they don't ask in many cases). The classes may review some of the previous concepts, but will have different emphasis.
Q: If my child misses a class on Tuesday can we come on Wednesday and hear what was missed?
A: Yes. Just let us know in advance. Sometimes the pace of the classes are not quite the same.
Q: Why can't you have the model the class builds be a radio controlled airplane instead of a rubber band powered one?
A: The focus of this class is Aeronautical Engineering and not model building. The model is being built to help teach the concepts of Aeronautical Engineering in a fun way. Building a model is only one of many activities the students will engage in.
Q: Do we need to provide supplies?
A: We supply almost everything. Click here to see the list of things students will need to bring. (nothing unreasonable or expensive).
Q: Do the students get to keep the airplane they build in class?
A: Yes!
Q: Will you allows us to cover the fee for the classes in payments?
A: We can't do this for everyone since we use the funds up front to pay for the materials we use for each student, but we can for the occasional special situation. Email or speak to us if you would like to make arrangements.
Q: Do you offer scholarships or sibling discounts?
A: Yes. Email or speak to us if you would like to discuss.
Q: We have a trip planned during the session. Can I pay only for the classes my student will be attending?
A: No, we are sorry, but we need the full amount for each student. The majority of the class fees are used to pay for all the materials, supplies, and classroom things used in the class.
Q: I found a typo on this website.
A: Please email us and let us know so we can fix it. We appreciate your sharp eye!
Q: My squadron member wants to take the class, but my unique situation isn’t listed here so far. Is there still a chance?
A: We want to try very hard to be flexible within reason. Write to us about your situation and we will try to work something out.
If you have any other questions, write to us and let us know. Send us an email.