TEENS AIM HIGH AT INSTITUTE

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 8, 2008 | by PAM ZUBECK

Thirty Colorado Springs teens spent last week with their heads above the clouds in what some say was the first aerospace institute for high school students in the nation.

Students from Mitchell and Coronado high schools' aerospace engineering classes attended classroom sessions and two field trips.

One took them inside Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense Command until it moved to Peterson Air Force Base last month.

The other led them to the Challenger Learning Center to experience a simulated mission to other parts of the universe.

"This is unique," said Mitchell principal Larry Cutter. "It's the first summer aerospace institute to be developed and offered any place in the nation."

Or so says the Michiganbased Society of Manufacturing Engineers, which paid for the institute's $12,000 to $15,000 cost for supplies, materials and instructors.

It works with Project Lead the Way of New York, which develops engineering curricula.

The final piece fell into place when Gen. Gene Renuart, commander of NORAD and NorthCom, inked an education partnership agreement with Mitchell, whose attendance boundaries take in Peterson Air Force Base.

"Gen. Renuart has a history of trying to support school systems," Cutter said. "So this was an offer of support extended by Northcom to adopt Mitchell High School."

NorthCom not only arranged the Cheyenne Mountain tour, it provided speakers throughout the five-day institute.

"Having their expertise and sending out experts made it great for these kids," Cutter said.

On top of the thrill of the authenticity military officers lent to the event, Cutter said the students received two physics credits from the University of Colorado.

What's in it for North-Com? Helping to develop the next generation of technical experts.

About 13,000 Department of Defense laboratory scientists will be eligible to retire during the next decade without comparable numbers graduating with appropriate degrees to replace them.

That doesn't include thousands more in other governmental agencies that work on space projects.

That's why the Defense Department has spent millions of dollars in recent years for scholarships and fellowships to encourage more people to study science and math.

"NORAD and NorthCom are excited to become a partner in education with Mitchell High School," Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel R. Wood, NORAD and NorthCom command senior enlisted adviser, said in a statement.

"The men and women of NORAD and NorthCom have a vast amount of expertise that we believe will benefit students and encourage their interest in science, mathematics and engineering," he said.