3/16/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today joined, by representatives from Marshall University's June Harless Center and Cabell-Midland High School, recognized the Awesome Aeronauts from Cabell-Midland, for the second consecutive year, the team won the West Virginia "Real World Design Challenge".
This program enables West Virginia educators to receive training through high technology industry representatives while the students receive access to cutting-edge software in order to enhance learning and innovation. The Real World Design Challenge is a collaboration between education and business leaders, from the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA, among others.
"When our teachers and students are able to hold state-of-the-art tools in their hands, the sky is the limit," Gov. Tomblin said. "Community partnerships, such as this, are vital to expanding our students understanding of the science, technology, engineering and mathematical centered employment opportunities that await them. I congratulate this year's winning team on a job well done and encourage each of this year's participants to continue to explore such engaging studies."
This year's Real World Design Challenge required participants to develop the exterior and internal structure of an airliner wing using aeroelastic tailoring methods that results in an airliner wing that maximizes both fuel and aerodynamic efficiency. On behalf of the State of West Virginia, Awesome Aeronauts of The Cabell Midland High School/June Harless Center will travel to Washington D.C. in April to compete on the national level with their design.
"Competitions such as the Real World Design put a focus on active learning that inspires students to strive for a deeper understanding of concepts," said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple. "Research tells us students who participate in such activities retain the knowledge they gain far more readily than through traditional learning. Knowing this, we must encourage students to participate in such activities that allow them to explore math, science and engineering so that they are prepared for deeper levels of scientific investigation and understanding that the 21st century demands."
"I am very proud of the Cabell Midland/Harless Center team, which has repeated as West Virginia state champions in this year's Real World Design Challenge," said Stan Maynard, Executive Director of June Harless Center and director of the Shewey Learning Center. "This team is a great representative for the state and they are continuing to prepare for the national competition in Washington next month. It is truly an honor for the June Harless Center to partner with the Cabell County School System in preparing for such a rigorous national competition."
"This group of fine young men demonstrated that is a wonderful idea for our students to participate in an Extended Learning Opportunity," said Cabell-Midland High School Principal David Tackett. "Engineering projects are difficult to complete at any level, and the work that they have done on the design of their aircraft wing has inspired our whole school to create many more opportunities for other students. We are very proud of all three of our engineers and wish them the best at the national competition."
West Virginia is one of 24 states participating in this national initiative with local support provided by the NASA IV&V Facility Education Resource Center, The Department of Energy in Morgantown, and Marshall University's June Harless Center.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000