Lenoir County students showcase ACE aviation academy as district reports summer learning gains

At the Aug. 4 meeting of the Lenoir County Board of Education, district staff presented highlights from this summer's Aviation Career Education (ACE) academy and other learning programs, and reported improved student outcomes from retesting and credit-recovery efforts.

"Over the summer, we use this academy for students to explore careers in aviation and aerospace," Dr. Jones, a district staff member who introduced the ACE presentation, said. The ACE program, run in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, split this year's camp into three levels to increase rigor and accommodate students with different experience levels.

Why it matters: The ACE academy and related summer programs gave students hands-on exposure to aviation careers and STEM skills, several district presenters said. Staff framed the camps as both career-exploration and academic supports that feed into local workforce pathways and postsecondary planning.

Program details and partners District presenters said ACE combined classroom work — including basic flight principles, drone programming and STEM challenges — with field trips to aviation facilities. Amanda Connor, identified as a contact at the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, and partners including the NC State Institute for Transportation Research and Education and local business sponsors provided funding, equipment and field-trip access. Presenters said students visited the Antonov freighter that stopped at the nearby Jetport, and that some students toured the cockpit.

Students also took part in a range of other summer offerings. District staff reported nearly 500 students participated across camps and programs that included elementary flight-themed summer learning, a two-week middle-school engineering camp that designed a community-park model inspired by the Neuse River, a health-care careers "Health Care Heroes" camp, and District C, a business partnership pitch event where students worked on real problems for local organizations.

Academic outcomes The district reported that retesting for end-of-course (EOC) and end-of-grade (EOG) exams produced proficiency gains across subjects. A district presenter said these retests now count toward the district's growth measure for the first time and that proficiency increased "everywhere" after retesting. In summer credit-recovery sessions the district reported students earned 399 high-school course credits — 11 more than were recovered the prior summer.

Student work and feedback Students who attended ACE described hands-on experiences including flight simulators, drone programming and a Shark Tank–style pitch event for projects developed during camp. Presenters praised student creativity on engineering and business tasks; one staff member said she was "very impressed" with the students' presentations.

District supports and follow-ups District staff said they will spotlight District C student projects at a future meeting and bring back additional presenters. The board was told some camps were funded in part by grants and by business sponsorships; staff credited local partners with underwriting field trips, instructor stipends and equipment.

Ending Board members thanked students, instructors and community partners for the presentations and the district said it will include more detail on student projects and program outcomes at upcoming meetings.