RMS adds Aerospace Science to curriculum

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A new class offered to eighth grade students at Russellville Middle School is taking learning to a new level.
RMS is the first middle school in the state to offer Aerospace Science.
"We don't know of any middle school in the state to offer this class," instructor Mike McCandless said. "It's important for our students to be offered this science because we live in a state where there are countless aerospace careers available."
During the course of the year, the students will study principles of flight, classification of aircraft by flight principle, space exploration and study Earth from space.
"This class gives our students the opportunity to learn math and science with hands-on applications instead of learning it from a textbook," McCandless said. "We learn math, science and design as applied to careers in the aerospace field."
McCandless said there are approximately 150,000 jobs in aerospace right here in Alabama.
"We have all these options," McCandless said.
"Half of the 150,000 jobs available don't require more than a high school diploma, and they can stay right here in the state. We have all this opportunity in our own back yard."
During the course of the year, McCandless plans to bring in different speakers and instructors to work with the students.
"We will also be bringing in a Blackhawk helicopter, and the students will just fall in love with helicopters after that," McCandless said.