PENSACOLA, Fla.– Pen Air FCU has donated $100,000 in support of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation's NW Florida STEM Center of Excellence. Funds will directly support the National Flight Academy, Flight Adventure Deck, and DoD STARBASE programs.
“We’re always looking for like-minded, community partnerships that enhance lives,” said President/CEO Delbert Lee Morgan. “And talk about leaving a lasting impact for those in our own backyard. The STEM Center of Excellence programs have the potential to drive career choices of students by exposing them to options they may never have thought were within reach. Our local community is extremely fortunate to have such a high-impacting STEM program at our fingertips.”
The National Flight Academy (NFA) provides STEM education to students in grades 7th through 12th using their state-of-the-art Aircraft carrier themed schoolhouse Ambition. NFA’s immersive simulated environment is coupled with revolutionary methods in instruction, to help foster cooperative learning and inspire young people to pursue math, science, and engineering degrees for the careers of tomorrow.
The Flight Adventure Deck is a collaborative program between the Foundation and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts. This program targets middle school students and provides a hands-on learning experience within the National Naval Aviation Museum.
DoD STARBASE is a nationwide program focused on fifth-grade students at Title 1 schools. Students attend for 5 days while completing a 25-hour nationally standardized STEM curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics.
“Through the generosity of partners like Pen Air Federal Credit Union, the Northwest Florida STEM Center of Excellence will continue to positively impact and influence the lives of numerous students in the panhandle region,” says Pat Everly CAPT USN (Ret), Executive Director, National Flight Academy.