TEMPERATURE: 71.0 F (21.7 C)
WEATHER: Fair
Last Updated on Sep 2 2010, 8:51 am PDT

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Educational Programs

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Van Nuys Airport Public and Community Relations 16461 Sherman Way, Suite 300 Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 442-6526

As part of a longstanding commitment to the science education of future leaders, Van Nuys Airport (VNY) supports a number of educational initiatives, while encouraging aviation-related career and training opportunities. We hope these efforts will lay the foundation for a bright future for today’s students and enhance the development of an educated, dedicated workforce in decades to come.

Adopt-A-School Program Airport Adopt-A-School activities include speaking engagements, participation in student career days and involvement in school functions. Each year in December, VNY sponsors a special holiday program at a local elementary school that features a visit from Santa Claus accompanied by some well-known mascots. Event highlights include gifts for all students, live entertainment and drawings for special prizes donated by local retail, recreational and entertainment establishments. School Reading Program Through this program, VNY Public and Community Relations employees tutor local elementary school students in reading, with an emphasis on aviation history. The students’ progress is closely monitored by teachers and counselors. Free Aviation Careers Education (ACE) Academy Los Angeles World Airports’ Aviation Careers Education (ACE) Academy is open to all middle school and high school students with priority given to students in the neighboring areas of VNY. Students are selected based on desire to learn about aviation. This weeklong motivational program is designed to educate students about airport operations at both VNY and Los Angeles International Airport, as well as career and technical opportunities in the aviation industry. Summer 2010: July 26 - July 30 Middle School (grades 6th – 8th) August 09-13 High School (grades 9th - 12th) For application information, please click here or contact the VNY Public and Community Relations office at (818) 442-6526 Los Angeles Unified School District Aircraft Mechanics School Housed at VNY, this branch of the North Valley Occupational Center – Aviation Center enables students to earn certification in general airframe and power plant mechanics. The program curriculum, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, consists of 47 subject areas to prepare students for a wide array of jobs in the aviation-aerospace industry. To learn more about the program, visit www.nvoc.org/html/aviation.html. Tour and DVD Presentations VNY offers free guided bus tours and DVD presentations to school, civic and community organizations/groups on weekdays and select Saturdays. More than 10,000 children and adults participate in these programs annually. Airports Council International, a leading aviation organization, has rated VNY’s tour program among the top three in the country. For more information on VNY’s tour program, click here. New Journal of Student Research Abstracts Now sponsored by VNY, and published with California State University, Northridge, the journal provides kindergarten through 12th-grade students and their teachers the opportunity to have science abstracts published in a Library of Congress-listed periodical. The journal also serves as a sourcebook for students and teachers looking for ideas for research projects, particularly in the areas of aviation and aerospace. For more information, click here. VNY Young Achievers Through this program, VNY recognizes and rewards exceptional area middle school students who excel in academics, athletics, the arts or community service, culminating with an awards luncheon at the end of the school year. Parents, teachers and principals are all invited to celebrate their students’ success. Teacher Mini-Grants Through this program, VNY recognizes and awards two mini-grants to teachers for employing aviation and community service in their curriculum. Awardees are selected based on submission of a concise proposal including a statement of program, goals, methodology, evaluation mechanism and budget. The application period for Teacher Mini-Grants is in the winter after San Fernando Valley area Los Angeles Unified School District officials distribute a request for grant submissions. Awards are distributed in early spring. Career Fairs Through this program, VNY staff attends career fairs to promote aviation and aviation-related careers.