Why do I need an AeroLab in my district?

The Solutions

AeroLab is an opportunity to engage students more actively in the educational experience and to invite them to take greater ownership and accountability for their own learning. AeroLab provides districts with:

• A delivery system for Problem and Project-Based Learning
• A gentle transition to Competency-Based Education
• Increased pathways to Personalized Learning

How does AeroLab work?

The AeroLab curriculum is designed in cooperation with the school district partner. Labs may be offered in a 5th Day format for certain districts or as an Electives curriculum.  Students are responsible for fulfilling their In future yearsother academic requirements during the remainder of the week.

What does AeroLab cost?

In SY 18-19, Colorado AeroLab is launching four new Learning Centers in the small rural districts of West Grand 1-JT, North Park R-1 and South Routt RE-3 in the northwestern region of Colorado. The 5th Day programs in these schools are funded through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from the Colorado Department of Education.

In future years, potential exists for additional grant cohorts to be funded through a similar grant. AeroLab’s other sources of funding may come through a variety of negotiated sources: a portion of district per-pupil revenue (PPR); grant funding and private donations; and self-pay options. Once a district decides to host an AeroLab site, our team will work with the district leaders to determine funding sources.

What grade levels does AeroLab include?

AeroLab is designed for students in grades 6-12. However, the curriculum is not grade specific. Students are able to accelerate the experience at their individual rate of mastery.

 

Why do I need an AeroLab in my district?

STEM Grads Needed: The Research

Colorado’s high-tech industries rank the state as the second in private-sector aerospace employment. But the aerospace industry is much wider than simply airplanes and space shuttles. At large, jobs in Colorado range from cybersecurity to information technology to national defense to satellite and mobile communications to energy production and heavy equipment mechanics.

Colorado alone will be looking to fill approximately 100,000 qualified tech-related jobs in the next 5-10 years with more than 100,o00 additional STEM-industry jobs in healthcare, information technology, data security and manufacturing technology.

Colorado AeroLab is intentionally focused on Educating Colorado Students for Colorado Jobs.  Each 5th Day program is created to integrate problem-based learning with social-emotional learning; hands-on multidisciplinary projects with Essential Skills-building. Students have opportunity to earn diploma endorsements, microcredential skills badges, Capstone projects and digital portfolios to showcase their academic experience. AeroLab is designed to help students succeed through their school years and into the future.

How does AeroLab integrate core curriculum?

Integrating core curriculum is at the heart of what we do at AeroLab. We rely on the experts in your building to teach the core content; then we task our instructors to weave it into the AeroLab experience through problem and project-based, hands-on learning.

 

Who are the instructors?

AeroLab instructors are teachers and professional experts in their career fields. All have been background-checked and fingerprinted in compliance with Colorado Department of Education requirements. Meet the Team!

How is AeroLab standards-based?

Our goal is to enhance the work you do in your classrooms and in your buildings. Our instructors are knowledgeable of the Colorado Academic Standards and design their curriculum to meet the standards through lab-based learning.

 

 Why do I need an AeroLab in my district?

Career Technical Education and Post-secondary Workforce Readiness

Colorado is experiencing what public policy makers label the Colorado Paradox—having one of the most highly-educated populations in the country but lacking the ability to adequately train students for these jobs in the state’s aerospace industry. Many of Colorado’s high-paying aerospace jobs are being filled by workers from other states and countries. Colorado jobs being filled by Colorado graduates will fuel economic growth and stability throughout the state.

Will AeroLab make a difference in student growth and school accountability?

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

It is a saying that is probably as old as time, but it is timeless when it comes to student success (not to mention the research that supports it). Your district is already doing great things to ensure student success; the lab-based setting of AeroLab will help you generate even greater results.

How can AeroLab help my teachers?

If asked, most teachers would state that lack of time is the biggest obstacle preventing them from digging as deeply into their content area as they would like. By providing students a blended education center that calls students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in regular classes to new and exciting projects and design challenges, teachers will find themselves focusing less time on remedial coursework.

Does AeroLab include Capstones and Diploma Endorsements?

Yes! AeroLab incorporates Capstones and the STEM diploma endorsement approved in HB 17-1201 and the Postsecondary Workforce Readiness endorsement. AeroLab teachers will collaborate with district personnel to identify particular needs of students and provide guidance for successful completion of these credentials for graduation.

How can I start an AeroLab in my district?

 

 

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