Students at St. Peter’s School in Waldorf, Maryland are gaining new heights in their STEM education, thanks to a recent grant from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) that brought five flight simulators to the school. These simulators, complete with flight yoke systems and rudder pedals, are part of the school's innovative Project Lead the Way program, which introduces students to various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
The simulators are the latest addition to a growing list of hands-on learning experiences at the school, including drones and other aerospace technologies. Meagan Kimm, the vice principal at St. Peter’s School and an aerospace education member with the Civil Air Patrol, led the charge in bringing this cutting-edge technology to the students. Kimm shared her excitement about the new resources during a recent interview, recalling her own thrilling experience flying in a Cessna 127 with a CAP pilot over St. Peter’s as part of a flight training session.
“It was such a neat experience, and I was so excited to come back and share it with my students,” Kimm said. “This is not only an opportunity for them to learn how to use the flight simulators, but also to develop skills that could inspire future careers in aerospace.”
The flight simulators allow students to explore aviation concepts in a fun and interactive way. Activities range from practicing landings of “Santa's sleigh” on a dollhouse to flying drones to transport objects like balloons. The students’ enthusiasm for these lessons contributes to a dynamic classroom environment.
Eighth grader Jacob Dewey is one of the students who has embraced the new technology. “I genuinely enjoy the flight simulators,” he said. Dewey, who is part of a class that learns about flight simulation and drone operation, is just one of many students benefiting from this hands-on approach to learning.
Christian Turner, also in the eighth grade, adds that the class is “the funnest” and appreciates the hands-on learning experience. Turner, who has lived in various countries, including Dubai and Bahrain, says the opportunity to discover “new God-given talents” makes the program unique. He and his peers have already started exploring how to use the simulators and drones to solve challenges, such as maneuvering drones through courses or helping their peers overcome technical hurdles.
Martin Stokes, another St. Peter’s eighth grader, has become the go-to “tech pro” in the class. He assists Kimm with installing the programs and troubleshooting any technical issues. Stokes’ ability to navigate the complexities of the software has earned him admiration from peers and his teacher.
Meanwhile, Laila Mills, a St. Peter’s eighth grade student with aspirations to attend St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown and focus on computer science, is particularly drawn to the technical aspects of the program. She enjoys the challenge of learning to operate the flight simulation controls, which allows her to combine her interest in technology with her growing passion for computer science.
The enthusiasm for the new program is not limited to the students. Tina Wagner, the principal of St. Peter’s School, praised Kimm for pursuing this unique opportunity, noting that St. Peter’s is currently the only elementary school in the Archdiocese of Washington to offer flight simulation lessons. Wagner sees the program as a way to prepare students for future opportunities in STEM and beyond.
“We are so fortunate to have Ms. Kimm’s dedication to this program,” Wagner said. “It’s an exciting time for our school, and we are proud of the way the students are embracing these new learning experiences.”
Kimm is also eager to help other teachers in the archdiocese bring similar programs to their schools. She encourages colleagues to contact her with questions on how to incorporate flight simulators and drones into their classrooms.
With future plans to upgrade the flight simulation program at St. Peter’s School, the sky is truly the limit for its STEM program. Kimm said the school plans to upgrade the flight simulator computers from Wi-Fi to a hardwired internet connection to enhance their performance. The upgrade is intended to support students in developing skills in aviation, technology, and problem-solving, better preparing them for careers in aerospace and engineering while helping them discover talents and passions that will shape their futures.
For more information about St. Peter’s STEM program, visit: https://stpeterswaldorf.com/.
