Mayor Carl Brewer will kick off National Aerospace Week next Monday at school assemblies at Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet, 2821 E. 24th St. North.
Joining representatives of the Aviation Industry Community Partners (AICP), Mayor Brewer will read a proclamation noting the importance of math and engineering skills. The school assemblies will take place at 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
During the assemblies, AICP representatives will unveil a life-size cockpit mock-up being donated to the school.
“The students at Mueller Magnet represent our economic future,” Mayor Brewer said. “The skills they begin to learn at the elementary level are extremely critical to the aerospace industry. The qualified, highly skilled workers of tomorrow are sitting in today’s classrooms.”
Mueller Magnet’s curriculum is targeted at preparing students for the high-skill jobs of the future.
“Getting our students excited about math, science, engineering and technology at the elementary level is very important,” said Mueller Principal Jaime Hutchinson. “We want our students to carry that love of learning about aviation, engineering and science through their middle and high school years so they can enter work in those career fields in our community.”
The industry representatives echoed the support for a strong education program as the foundation for the future work force.
“The Aviation Industry Community Partners are thrilled to support the teachers, students and mission of Mueller Magnet,” said Brian Black, Spirit AeroSystems. “These students represent the next generation of aerospace engineers, pilots and manufacturers. As aviation partners in the Wichita community, we want to continue encouraging our youth to develop a passion for careers in the aerospace industry.”
In January, Mueller received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support the school’s magnet theme by enhancing the science and engineering curriculum. The three-year grant will fund the project DREAM (DiscoveRy, Engineering and Aerospace Magnet) program at the school. Project DREAM is a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program, where students learn core subjects through aerospace and engineering themes.
Following the assembly, Mayor Brewer will tour the school to observe students in class.
