Experiences

Cadet Flyers STEM Programs at Above the Clouds:

Above the Clouds, through our partner social service agencies, is introducing youth from traditionally underrepresented communities in aviation and STEM fields to unique, educational experiences.  Our vision is to see students from Children from the Lynn Girls and Boys Club got to hear directly from Christa McAuliffe Center staff including an astrophysicist and students from Framingham State University.  The McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning provided a FREE program customized to the out-of-school time population and focused the experience and Mission Simulation by age group for twenty students.  This program, Expedition Mars, was sponsored by the Center for Above the Clouds and the MetroWest STEM Network.

Unlike their more affluent counterparts, students who live in underserved communities typically lack access to what are now considered STEM basics: up-to-date laboratories, laptop or tablet computers and access to the Internet.  The Lynn Boys and Girls Club has built a STEAM lab in their Club for all participants to access and provides creative STEAM program for Club programs.    “A surefire way for students in the U.S. to compete in the global technological economy is to provide them with real-life applications of STEM — and children in underserved areas are being left behind” 2021 USNews Report.

Thank you to Suzanne Wright and her team at the McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University!  And, for the generous support from the MetroWest STEM Network.

MSEN (metroweststem.com)

On July 20, Above the Clouds will bring a bus to Norwood Memorial Airport including staff, families and six Dream Flyers from the Lynn Boys and Girls Clubs to provide Dream Flights for selected participants.  On August 13th, as part of our Girls in Aviation programs, Above the Clouds will provide Dream Flights for girls from the Big Sister Boston program.

A Drone. An Experienced Pilot. Cameras. Students learning. Amazing aerial footage.
Simply Awesome!

TV Production teacher Mr. McDonough and the CHS student team coordinating the upcoming CHS LipDub worked side-by-side with Pilot Michael Kolowich and his son Robert — and their drone — to capture aerial footage of the CHS campus during the December vacation.

Mr. Kolowich donated his time to teach the Canton HS students how to navigate the drone and record a variety of shots. The results (which will be featured in the CHS LipDub) are breathtaking and the learning experience was priceless.

A big thank you to Mr. Kolowich and his son Robert! A big shout out to Nick Buser for setting this up! Kudos to Mike Noone, Mia Tess, Jason Kaplan, Nick Buser, Steve Gorham and Mr. McDonough for working so hard to make the CHS LipDub 2.0 great. The LipDub is scheduled to be filmed in early February.

Photo Album of Drone Adventure

Last weekend Derek & Estuardo visited Hanscom Field in Bedford Massachusetts. The visit included a complete guided tour of the airport grounds and a local flight school. To conclude their visit Estuardo got to fly the Redbird FMX full motion flight simulator at Executive Flyers Aviation. Derek set up the simulator for a short flight around the traffic pattern of La Aurora (MGGT) in Guatemala where Estuardo flew with his dad in a Beechcraft Bonanza. A good time was had by all and Estuardo is looking forward to flying again with Derek soon!

In Discovery Flight action, Dave Roberts took Liam to do loops over Ipswich and Salem.  They saw the football field and the water tank with the witch logo on it.  Happy Halloween!  They also took a look at some interesting aircraft in Beverly.  Great day of flying!

On this very cool morning , Esmael and I departed runway 35 just after 10am. The visibility seemed endless as we turned towards Boston then eventually south to Cape Cod. A good wind to our back made the trip down pretty quick. I asked him to look for traffic as an additional pair of eyes. Once straight and level, Esmael took the controls and steered us towards the canal. Cranberry bogs were abundant along our route of flight. I pointed out the entire length of Cape Cod, visible all the way to Provincetown. We flew along the coastline on our way back, flying past Plymouth Harbor and Marshfield. We called the control tower about 10 miles out and they eventually cleared us to land back on runway 35. It was a little breezy and bumpy on this flight but the visibility more than made up for that. The colors of fall are starting to look awesome from the sky!

Today was Walter’s first Discovery Flight with Gary. They flew over Provincetown and over the Cape. Walter was ecstatic. He took the controls and flew a great deal of the time. He told Gary he wants to be a pilot! Walter told us his favorite part was the take-offs and landings. Gary told us that his favorite part was Walter’s smile and continuous expression, “This is amazing!”