Aviation stemAHA

Aviation STEM Day has evolved from an annual event focused on young adults aged 8-17 to a year-round mission. It highlights a wide range of aviation and STEM careers that youth may not have known existed or considered. Initially held once a year at Millard Airport, its success led to the introduction of a mid-year event at Oak View Mall.

Our showcase exhibits cover fields such as flight, maintenance, avionics, aero-medical, drones, and airport management, with recent expansions into space and aerospace. Beyond these two major events, we offer hands-on activities year-round to inspire personal passion, learning, and goal-setting. Our aim is to help young people experience the early awakening of hobbies and career dreams.

In 2020, Aviation STEM Day rebranded itself to Aviation stemAHA to better reflect our year-round activities. Through good fortune, EAA Chapter 80 acquired a 1,600 sq. ft. storefront in Oak View Mall, naming it ABLE ACE (Aviation Building Lab and Center for Education).

Aviation stemAHA serves as a catalyst organization, bringing together colleges, universities, industry professionals, aviation enthusiasts, tech companies, government agencies, hobby clubs, parents, volunteers, and media influencers. Our common goal is to nurture the interests and passions of youth.

Program Implement in 2024 with Girls Inc./Wishing to expand in 2025: 
We have developed a hands-on action model program for introducing youth to STEM Aviation and the basic principles of flight.  The core program is designed for (12) youths, ages 8 – 18, to complete the series. However, most of the program can be enjoyed by anyone with the interest and capability.  The top line cost of the plan is $2,100.  For Organizations that have the needed equipment that can be dedicated, the phase cost could be reduced.  We are hoping to implement 2 programs on the summer of 2025.
Three Step Plan in the program:
Step 1:  Controlling a multidirectional flying body in an interior constricting space like a gymnasium.
Step 2: R/C Flight Simulator.
Phase 3: Two-day R/C Flight Experience Camp at Omahawk Field (Standing Bear Lake) flying Live planes with club owned planes and Instructors.
Equipment Needs and Expenses 
[Used or New Computer Equipment needs to have the following Specs: 
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SYSTEM by “Real Flight”
Windows® 7 or Windows 8 or Windows 10*
Intel® Pentium® 1.0GHz or equivalent
512 MB RAM
10 GB Hard Drive Space
DVD Drive
3D Accelerated Video with:
        —    32 MB Dedicated Video Memory
        —    Full DirectX 9 compliant (Shader Model 2.0 or better)
Internet connectivity required for activation and to download additional content and updates.
Optimal System:
For best graphical performance
Dual Core 2.4GHz CPU
2 GB RAM
3D Accelerated Video with: 512 MB dedicated video memory
Multiplayer Requirements:
Broadband Internet connection
Computer microphone for voice chat
InterLink® DX Controller]