NASA, FAA Team Up to Teach Science and Aerospace Skills

NASA has created a full-scale, highly sophisticated simulator of an airport control tower at its Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif. Known as the Virtual Airport Tower, the two-story structure emulates Level 5 air traffic control towers and the busiest airports. It allows NASA to conduct in-depth human factors studies with quantifiable results using actual air traffic controllers, airline dispatchers and airport managers. CREDIT:

NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have agreed to cooperate to foster the development of students' skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The memorandum of understanding signed by the two agencies supports the FAA's mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world and NASA's mission to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.

"This is a perfect example of collaboration that complements and supports each organization's educational goals," said Dr. Joyce Winterton, NASA associate administrator for Education. "Joint outreach efforts like this will contribute to NASA and FAA goals for a diverse, qualified aviation and space workforce for the future."

The partnership includes a broad range of cooperative outreach activities. The agencies' initial focus is on a NASA curriculum called "Smart Skies." Smart Skies is an online air traffic control simulator for students in fifth through ninth grades. It is designed to offer a fun and exciting way to learn math and skills central to air traffic control while providing multiple modes of problem solving for students who learn in different ways. [Click here for the NASA simulator.]

The agreement unites the strengths of both agencies to provide the best of aviation-related educational products and experiences to the widest possible population of students and educators.

"The synergy of this relationship will promote joint endeavors that motivate students to further develop their skills for careers in aviation and aerospace," said Ruth Leverenz, FAA associate administrator for Region and Center Operations, Washington.

Smart Skies' unique approach also exposes students to high-technology careers related to aviation, among them air traffic control. NASA developed the program with help from air traffic controllers at FAA's Oakland, Calif., facility.

NASA's Smart Skies Air Traffic Control Simulator is available here.

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