The Alaska Air Show Association supports aerospace educational activities for young people of all ages. During 2007, AASA provided four scholarships to Anchorage area children in the 10 - 12 year old age group to attend week long camp at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai http://www.akchallenger.org/. Children winning trips to the week long science and technology adventure camp were drawn by lottery at the 2006 Arctic Thunder Air Show. They completed "Trainee Selection Cards" by visiting various static displays to learn about the aircraft and get their cards stamped. The Challenger Learning Center inspires students to pursue education in science, technology, engineering and math by providing a series of fun, hands-on science experiences during the camper's week long stay. AASA awarded two lucky teenagers round trip airfare and a week long stay at the Aviation Challenge Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center located in Huntsville, Alabama http://www.spacecamp.com/. Teens in the 13 - 18 year group that attended Arctic Thunder 2006 earned their eligibility to enter the lottery for this trip by completing their "Trainee Selection Cards." One name was drawn at the end of each air show day. Winners had their choice of attending either Space Camp or Aviation Challenge Camp. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge uses space and aviation as a platform to excite and educate young people in the fields of science, math, and technology. The Alaska Air Show Association also supports collegiate aviation education. In 2006, AASA established two scholarships for aviation majors at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Alaska residents who are full-time students enrolled in any aviation degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage are eligible to apply for the Alaska Air Show Association Aviation Scholarship. The scholarship is administered by UAA http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships/ctc.cfm Full-time students enrolled in the UAA professional piloting program are also eligible to receive an Alaska Air Show Association Flight Training Award. Flight Training Awards are administered directly by the UAA Flight Operations Department. Three UAA students, Desiree McIntosh, Glenn Roose and Maria Terrazas each received $2000 AASA Aviation Scholarships for academic year 2007-2008.
Education Updates 2008-2010:
In 2008, AASA contributed $12,000 to UAA to support aviation Scholarships. There were four $2,000 scholarships and a $4,000 flight training incentive award.
For 2010, AASA again contributed $12,000 to UAA to support aviation scholarships. In 2010, there were four $2,500 scholarship and $2,000 in flight training incentive awards.
The scholarships essentially cover the tuition for a semester at UAA. The scholarships are awarded by UAA and applications are made on-line through the UAA scholarship site. Students who meet the criteria for the AASA scholarship are identified to an Aviation Scholarship Committee that sorts through the qualified applicants and picks the winners. Only two scholarships are awarded each academic year.
For the flight training incentive award, once a month, the student who flies the most hours receives $100, the student who has the greatest number of flights receives $100, and students that pass their FAA Flight examinations are awarded $75.
For Arctic Thunder 2008 and 2010, AASA awarded four scholarships to Anchorage area children to the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai, and two scholarships to the Aviation Challenge Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.
Education Update for Arctic Thunder 2012
It is the intent of the Board to support UAA aviation scholarships and flight training incentive awards, as well as to provide scholarships for children to attend the Challenger Learning Center and the Aviation Challenge Camp. Check back for further updates.
