Connecting Teachers & Students to Aviation Concepts & Career Opportunities
By: Kelly Remijan
Kelly Remijan, PhD is STEM Director for Illinois Regional Office of Education #40, near St. Louis, where she supports STEM-related PD for teachers and spearheads community collaborations. Additionally, she is a multi-year Air & Space Grant Recipient, Navy Community Partner, and STEM Consultant who has been the lead Aviation Camp Coordinator of the SWIC Aviation Summer Camp for three years.
Professional development is a concept used by schools to help teachers gain knowledge and learn new ideas that can enhance their teaching and student learning. With a goal of integrating aviation concepts into core curriculum and promoting career opportunities for students beyond the classroom, the Illinois Regional Office of Education #40 (ROE40) spearheaded professional development for K-12 Teachers entitled Soaring into Aviation on May 6, 2025 at West Star Aviation located at the St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton, IL.
Setting the tone of the day, Dr. Kelly Remijan, ROE40 Director of STEM Initiatives, began the day presenting Aviation in Action: STEM Concepts and Career Connections Across All Grade Levels to teachers where she showcased how teachers could integrate aviation-related topics, activities, and careers into core curriculum across all grade levels.
Collaborating with the St. Louis Regional Airport and West Star Aviation, ROE40 arranged for teachers to receive a behind-the-scenes tour of West Star Aviation led by General Manager Brian Bauwens, as well as experience a hands-on activity involving sheet metal, drills, and rivets led by Southwestern Illinois College and West Star Academy Instructor Matt Harter.
Utilizing Career-Technical Education funds provided by the state of Illinois, teachers had the opportunity to fly in the cockpit of an airplane under the direction of a certified flight instructor from Piston Aviation. They also received a Civil Air Patrol Membership, a propeller car teaching tool, mileage reimbursement, and substitute reimbursement for their school.
Additionally, teachers explored the Air Evac Helicopter flown in by Lifeteam156 as well as the New Spirit of St. Louis Lancair aircraft displayed by AeroCareers. Furthermore, they learned about aviation-connected resources such as EAA Chapter 864, AeroCareers, Civil Air Patrol, the Aero Experience, the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), the Illinois Learning Technology Center, and the St. Louis Regional Airport at an aviation expo held at Piston Aviation.
The impact of the 1-day experience-based professional development was extremely positive, as indicated in post-event surveys. One teacher proclaimed it was the Best PD EVER. Others loved the opportunity for hands-on learning and connections across multiple grade levels. Another shared, I would love to bring my students to this, while someone else wrote that the flying experience was amazing, and another said it was very inspiring.
As summer camps allow students to explore new concepts beyond the school year, ROE40 collaborated with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) and the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) to plan an aviation summer sampler camp for high school students. This camp focused on aviation concepts and career pathways.
Supported by the SWIC Foundation Grant and the Air & Space STEM Outreach Grant through Scott Air Force Base, the camp took place July 17-19, 2025 at Southwestern Illinois College and the St. Louis Regional Airport, as detailed at: www.roe40.com/aviation-sampler-camp.html.
Day 1: Dr. Kelly Remijan presented Opportunities in Aviation before students rotated through three stations: Machining, Aviation Maintenance, and Avionics. Under SWIC instructors, students machined their own name plates, drilled holes, used rivet tools, and explored avionics such as the Cockpit Instrumentation System.
Students also heard from a panel of aviation professionals. Post-event surveys showed that 100% found the activities useful, and 84% felt their knowledge of aviation opportunities increased.
Day 2: Students explored drones and flight simulators. The drone station was led by a SWIC Instructor with support from the Illinois State Police and a local fire department. Students also practiced flying in flight simulators under SWIC Flight Sim instructors.
Closing speaker Anita Mack, a retired Air Force Navigator, private pilot, and SWIC Aviation Management student, motivated students with her journey. Surveys showed 93% felt the day’s activities increased their knowledge of aviation opportunities.
Day 3: Students and parents visited St. Louis Regional Airport, where Airport Director Danny Adams hosted an aviation expo. Representatives from Piston Aviation, SWIC, West Star Aviation, Lewis & Clark Community College, US Navy, US Air Force, US Space Force, and EAA shared information about aviation pathways.
EAA Young Eagle Pilots provided introductory flights. Due to weather, makeup flights were arranged. Families also toured West Star Aviation and West Star Academy.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as:
- Touring WestStar with my son was a great time. I enjoyed listening to their operations and opportunities for students.
- My son had a great experience! He loved flying. He isn’t interested in being a pilot but thought it was a cool experience.
- The program and tour were very interesting and educational!
- This camp fueled my son’s passion for aviation.
- I had no idea of all the opportunities the field has to offer.
- The camp was a great experience. We enjoyed touring West Star Aviation.
- She enjoyed the 3-day camp. We see a renewed spark in her future plans.
- This event sparked an interest in aviation for my son. Now he has a starting point.
Professional development for teachers focused on aviation, supported by collaborative partnerships, can enhance curriculum, improve instructional strategies, and connect students to aviation career pathways. Aviation-related summer camps further inspire students through hands-on activities and industry exposure.
With ongoing partnerships and plans for additional aviation events, the potential impact on teachers, students, and the aviation industry is truly limitless.
Special Recognition: Dr. Kelly Remijan thanks all individuals and groups who contributed to these aviation events. Special thanks to Kerry Lorton (ROE40 CTE Director & Central Illinois Rural Region System Director) for acquiring and dispersing CTE funds. Thanks to the Air & Space STEM Outreach Grant through Scott Air Force Base for supporting the SWIC Aviation Summer Sampler Camp. Additional appreciation goes to the SWIC Aviation Summer Camp Planning Team: Keith Mueller, Katharine Braun, Jamie Gotto, and Dawn Waller.
