The Aerospace Educators’ Workshop
Join us for an exciting day learning how to integrate aviation, space, robotics and more into your curriculum! All K-12 teachers are invited to attend.
Begin with the thrill of being selected in a random drawing to fly with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team! Enjoy breakfast followed by the opening ceremony with special speakers to welcome you to the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo. Then choose from a variety of concurrent sessions being offered throughout the morning.
This is the place to be! We will motivate and inspire you with a lot of ideas and activities to use in your classroom! Come experience STEM with us and inspire your students to reach for the stars! After all, the Sky is Just the Beginning!
Saturday, April 9th, 2022
Registration is the low rate of $20.00 for teachers and administrators. This price includes regular admission ($25 value) to SUN 'n FUN for the day, light breakfast and parking ($10 value). Please—no children or guests.
Four participants will fly with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team during the workshop. The drawing for these rides is promptly at 8:00 A.M. (The rides are for teachers currently in the classroom, and they must be physically able to climb into the cockpit, without assistance, of a T-6 aircraft and weigh less than 250 pounds.)
An in-service points’ certificate will be in your goody bag.
Registrations completed by April 3 will receive a parking pass via email.
SCHEDULE:
7:00 am Continental breakfast, registration and opening ceremony in Buehler Center
7:45 am Drawing for Aeroshell rides
Concurrent Sessions in CFAA Classrooms
9:00 - 9:45
10:00 - 10:45
11:00 - 11:45
12:00 Lunch Keynote Speaker - Astronaut Nicole Stott and presentation of Ray Lien Award in the Florida Air Museum
2022 Presenters
Ray Lien Award
Ray Lien was reputed as an excellent aviation educator. He envisioned an Aerospace Educators Workshop in 1988. Ray was introduced to aviation in 1925 by his Platte, South Dakota, neighbors. Ray enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in January 1942. Throughout WWII, Ray served as a Maintenance Officer in various locations, but predominantly in North Africa with B-26 and B-25 aircraft. After the war, Ray joined the Air Force Reserve, where he continued to serve in the maintenance field until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970.
Ray Lien earned a BS in Agricultural Engineering from South Dakota State College in 1941 and an MS in Agricultural Engineering in 1958. He actually began teaching at Purdue University in 1953, which he continued until 1987. He was one of the few Purdue University faculty to ever rise from an Instructor to Full Professor without earning a PhD. In 1988, he became Coordinator (and later Chairman) of Educational Project for SUN ‘n FUN and started the first Aerospace Educator Workshop.
In Ray’s honor, we proudly present the Ray Lien Award annually during the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo during the Aerospace Educators Workshop. This award is given to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to aviation education.
Nomination Procedures – Deadline March 15, 2022.
- The award will be presented at SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland, Florida during the Aerospace Educators Workshop. We request the recipient be present at the Workshop to receive the award.
- Anyone can nominate a person and it can be self-nominated. The nominator must submit a letter of support for the candidate by describing his/her contributions to aviation education.
- The recipient must agree to present a session for teachers at the following year’s workshop.
- The nomination letter of support should be emailed to Bill Yucuis no later than March 15, 2022.
RAY LIEN Award Winners
Spirit of an Educator – “Knowledge is the key to aviation’s future.”
| 1998 Paul Poberezny | 1999 A. Scott Crossfield | 2000 Lyle R. Flagg |
| 2001 Billy Henderson | 2002 Gene Olson | 2003 Dr. Charley Rodriguez |
| 2004 Dr. Carol Denicole | 2005 Barbara Walters-Phillips | 2006 Greg Harbaugh |
| 2007 Marie Grein | 2008 Richard Ortega | 2009 Chad Smith |
| 2010 Barry Scharf | 2011 Lori Bradner | 2012 Bill Yucuis |
| 2013 Joseph Oliver | 2014 John Iskra | 2015 Not Awarded |
| 2016 George "Gabe" Gabrielle | 2017 Thomas J. Sarko | 2018 Mary Catherine Vaughn |
| 2019 Marie Hill | 2021 Jessica Strauss |
Museum Programs
The Florida Air Museum is open year-round and the construction is now complete on the Ramus SkyLab Innovation Center, we welcome a visit while you are here during the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo.
During the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, the museum will be in use by many private events and walk-through tours may not be available at the time of your visit. Check the Daily Schedule for more information. The museum will re-open the week following the Fly-In event. Please checkout our website for more information.
Please click here for more information on the Florida Air Museum’s year-round educational and family-oriented activities and programs.
Project: STRATOS
The Aerospace Center for Excellence is excited to announce the re-imagination of Project: STRATOS an aviation leadership and art competition. Project: STRATOS finalist will continue to receive prizes and recognition associated with the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-in. New this year, competitors will be provided the opportunity to participate in (1) Pathways to Aviation Career readiness program (2) Competitive Athletic Competition, (3) writing an essay, and/or (4) creating a unique work of art that fits the theme: “Aviation Safety”.
The program is open to high school juniors and seniors. Students are asked to participate in as many of the proposed programs as possible. Finalist may be drawn from any of the program components. Any student interested in participating shall submit an email to Stratos@flysnf.org by January 18, 2022. Juniors and Seniors will both be eligible for the finalist awards listed in this announcement (2022 Only).
Component 1: Pathways to Aviation. Students will need to sign up for Pathways to Aviation and become career-ready. This process can take any time from 3 days to a week long. You will receive a certificate of completion after you become career-ready. The certificate is the proof you completed Component 1. You will need to email this to Stratos@flysnf.org or turn it into the A.C.E. front desk by February 17th, 2022.
Component 2: Team Building. Students will take part in this exercise as a duo. To qualify under this component, the student must participate in one race session. They may do over as many times as they want, but there will only be one ultimate time. The goal of participating in the race sessions is not an athletic accomplishment, but the goal is to evaluate and develop team leadership attributes. All sessions will meet at the C-47 on the ACE Campus. RSVP is encouraged, but not required.
Component 3: Write a 500-word essay on the following topic: “Aviation Safety” The essay may be fiction or non-fiction (biographical or autobiographical). The essay must be completed and submitted to Stratos@flysnf.org by February 17, 2022.
Component 4: Create a unique work of art that fits the theme: “Aviation Safety” The work of art may be in any media. Works of art should be submitted to the A.C.E. Building front desk by February 17, 2022.
Candidates may be interviewed to narrow the finalist and pool. There will only be 10 finalists this year!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students wishing to participate in Project: STRATOS must be available the week of April 5-10. No housing or accommodation or transportation is provided. Project: STRATOS winners are expected to participate in the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN Fly-in, as well.
Rewards for finalists
- Possibility of a flight with one of the airshow performers
- Sony Camera with Memory Card
- Two (2) Free week-long passes to SUN ‘n FUN 2022
- Meet and greet / photo opportunity with aerospace industry leaders
- Project: STRATOS polo shirt and T-Shirt
- SUN ‘n FUN Key Chain
- Interviews on Florida Aviation Network and SUN ‘n FUN Radio
- Other Aviation/Stem related events
Project Dates:
- January 3: Project released via media outlets
- January 21: Email indicating intent to participate, including school photo (or recent photo) and shirt size.
- February 4-5: Fun Run.
- February 17: Art project, Pathways to Aviation, and essay due.
- February 24: Finalists Announced
Join us in developing
your future!
Sponsoring Project: STRATOS is a direct way for your company to help The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and SUN ‘n FUN in our mission to “Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals”. Our goal here at ACE is to introduce and guide as many young people as possible into the rewarding opportunities a career in aviation can offer.
Funds from the Project: STRATOS program go towards education programs, improved facilities and technology upgrades for ACE here on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus – you can come visit the very facilities you are supporting during the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo – just ask!
Our year-round activities include week long aviation camps for six weeks during the summer, the annual Wings and Things Youth Aerospace Weekend, and ongoing STEM-tastic ™ Educational programs. Students in our programs are getting a huge head start toward becoming the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and other aviation support personnel. We hope you will join us in this new level of education interactivity. Again, these students are your future clients, employees, and shareholders. Help us give them the best opportunities possible and show them that the sky is just the beginning!
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
$10,000 – Presenting Sponsor
- Sponsor name and logo on the introduction page for essay pages published in the Official SUN ‘n FUN Inflight Guide: “Project: STRATOS Presented by SPONSOR NAME”
- Listing as Presenting Sponsor in all Project: STRATOS related announcements and events
- Sponsor logo on STRATOS Squadron Shirts
- Presenting Sponsor acknowledgement in Press Conference announcing Project: STRATOS during the Fly-In
- Presenting Sponsor Acknowledgement in Press Releases announcing Project STRATOS and the winners prior to the Fly-In
- Visit and photo op from the entire STRATOS Squadron at Sponsor’s exhibit during the Fly-In
- Listing as Presenting Sponsor in signage posted in the Florida Air Museum for one year
$2500 – Squadron Sponsor
- Sponsor name and logo next to one STRATOS Squadron essay winner’s photo and essay in Official SUN ‘n FUN Inflight Guide
- Custom ad to appear beneath winner’s essay in Official SUN ‘n FUN Inflight Guide
- Visit and photo op from one STRATOS Squadron essay winner at Sponsor’s exhibit during the Fly-In
- Listing as Squadron Sponsor on signage to be posted in Florida Air Museum for one year
$1000 – Crew Sponsor
- Sponsor logo on thank you page in Official SUN ‘n FUN Inflight Guide
- Listing as Crew Sponsor on signage to be posted in Florida Air Museum for one year
$500 – Associate Sponsor
- Sponsor logo on thank you page in Official SUN ‘n FUN Inflight Guide
- Listing as Associate Sponsor on signage to be posted in Florida Air Museum for one year
To become a Project: STRATOS sponsor, please contact Malonie Ayers at mayers@flysnf.org or call 863.640.0009
Thank you to our Project Stratos Sponsors!
STEMFUSION ACTIVITIES
SUN ‘n FUN has made the commitment and is working to “Build a Brighter Future through Aviation.” Expanded education opportunities and youth workshops create learning environments on the SUN ‘n FUN campus in which children can thrive. Age specific activities have been designed to allow students of all ages to explore their interests in the world around them. Florida has a rich history of aerospace professionals and educators who are committed to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education programs and we’ve invited them to join us during the Annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. We believe that the diverse disciplines of the aerospace industry provide a wonderful platform for STEM education.
STEMfusion
Daily 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Ramus SkyLab Innovations Center (Museum)
STEMfusion will host a range of STEM demonstrations to include:
- 3D Printers
- Drone Obstacle Course
- Flight Simulation
- Stories from Space
- Robotics Course
- Wind Tunnel
- Airplane Design Challenge
STUDENT TOURS
Supported by Polk State College
SUN ‘n FUN offers educational tours of the new Ramus SkyLab Innovation Center throughout the week of SUN 'n FUN 2022. These tours are included in the price of your admission wristband.t
Important Registration and Payment Information
SUN ‘n FUN is offering group rates to educational organizations that wish to attend our annual fundraiser. Educational organizations include public and private schools, colleges as well as homeschooling groups.
Our group rates are available to groups of 15 or more. All group rates MUST be reserved and paid in advance
(PAYMENT DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022)
- Pre-registration with an advance ticket purchase is required.
- Pre-registration forms and payment must be received by FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022.
- Before paying, please complete the form below.
Pricing Information
Group Rates will be based on number of people in Tour Group. For more information, please contact Tracy Neal.
