November 27, 2007 EAA Chapter 59 provided space and instructors for about 24 teachers from the Central Texas Area.
The partnership between Chapter 59, Region 12 (of the Central Texas School District) and the Central Texas Flying Club (CTFC) is getting better and better each year. This school term, Fall 2007 through Spring 08 Region 12 and the CTFC has scheduled one school event each month. The event entails taking the Continental O-200 engine Cut-A-way and the Aeronca fuselage to a school. EAA Chapter 59 gets into the picture by providing a number of members to go to the schools to demonstrate and talk about the units we have on display. The talks and displays are tailored to the age and grade level of the students attending. Out of 16 available subjects the school leaders pick the subjects they would like to have presented.

The subjects presented to the schools have provided an opportunity our chapter members are more than able to fulfill.
We have discovered while presenting to the schools; it is often the teachers who ask the most questions. Understanding the needs of the teachers we have been able to create a program of "Teach the Teacher" seminars through Texas Regional Collaborative (TIC). Several of our members have gone to the Region 12 complex and presented subject material the teachers need for better class room instruction. This helps them to create and enlivening experience for the students and to stimulate the student's interest in exploring Science. For example: September of this year members of the EAA Chapter 59 presented a program to over 70 teachers on building an air powered rocket launcher. The teachers each built rockets to fire from the launcher. Several schools have reported back how they are using the rocket firing to create graphs and get the students to apply scientific methods of problem solving.

The November 27th use of the EAA Training facility was the first where the teachers have come to the hangar for instruction of subject material that Region 12 has determined will be useful. Mr. Dan McKee presented an explanation of electrical power creation, use and distribution. Step-up and Step-down transformers were explained and how and why they are used was thoroughly covered. Dan had some great photos to show Tubs (transformers on poles). He then explained AC/DC current as well as the pros and cons for each type electricity. Using a coffee pot, Dan explained to the teachers how they could have students determine the Amperes of an electrical "utility" by checking the Watts listed on the unit and knowing the voltage.

During the afternoon, Emmette Craver conducted a presentation on internal combustion engines. The teacher group consisted of all grade levels. As more and more of these "Teach the Teacher" sessions are held, more High School teachers are taking advantage of the Region 12 TRC and Chapter 59 partnership by attending. The engine presentation started by using formulas and animations for volume, pressure and temperature to get a lot of advanced material for the upper level teachers to use. The four stroke internal combustion was covered in great detail and the talk progressed to simple two stroke engine. Then a hands-on exercise at the O-200 cut-a-way engine provided the teachers a chance to see and handle all the engine parts. As a final frosting on the cake, a Stirling engine was harnessed to the afternoon rays of the sun for the engine's heat source. The little engine ran up to a very respectable RPM as the teachers watched and questioned where they could get this type engine for their classes.
The day was a great success when Jon Botsford with the help of his always ready team of helpers (Elwin Cook and Dale Breedlove) created a great soup with cornbread. Then it was topped off with an array of great deserts with the option of ice cream.

This is a good training facility being put to good use by chapter members. WHAT COULD BE BETTER??

Emmette Craver