The Roxbury Aviation Program is designed to cultivate a passion for aviation and aerospace among students by providing them with a comprehensive education and hands-on experiences. Cultivating this passion involves rigorous coursework, immersive learning and industry partnerships that prepare students for successful careers in the aviation field.
The four-year curriculum offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that students are not only well versed in the principles of aviation, but also adept at applying them in real-world situations.
The curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, offering a comprehensive education experience by integrating science, technology, engineering and math principles through integrated STEM programming, plus language arts and social studies. Hands-on experiments and projects enable students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.
Since its inception in 2019, the Roxbury Aviation Program has served more than 136 students. It started as one class and has turned into a four-year program with four courses. It now includes an Aviation Academy, which will begin next school year for Roxbury students, and will be open to students outside of the district in partnership with Morris County Vocational School. The program adheres to the belief that aviation education should and can be available to all students from all backgrounds regardless of socioeconomic status or previous experience.
The aviation program at Roxbury High School was created by Dr. Seipp, assistant superintendent, and Dr. Gottfried, a high school science teacher. Gottfried is one of two instructors for the program, alongside Chris Blough, a drone expert, who leads that program. Gottfried teaches Introduction to Aviation and assists in the coordination of program logistics and opportunities such as field trips to further learning and hearing from industry guest speakers, etc.
Principal Matthew Mawn has worked closely with Seipp and Gottfried to continue driving the program and enhancing it. Yearly outreach events at the district’s elementary and middle schools are held to share the program with all students.
“This program provides extensive opportunities for our students to explore aviation and be meaningfully prepared for a career in the aviation field,” said Gottfried.
There are no student prerequisites in the regular Roxbury aviation courses. However, students interested in aviation are encouraged to join. The vocational school sets its own student requirements for the aviation academy.
Students get to experience flight simulators, including 12 and 20 high-powered drones. Students also have attended lectures by various guest speakers including representatives from Frontier Airlines, New Jersey State Police, Jersey Ridge Soaring, Warren County Community College, United Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, FedEx, Newark’s Air Traffic Controllers and more.
The program is funded through the district’s regular school budget, in-kind donations and community partners are continuously sought to support it. The funding goal is to secure grants to help cover expenses related to the anticipated donation of an aircraft.
In Roxbury, many students expressed interest in earning their private pilot’s license, so the curriculum is designed to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration’s written exam. Preparation includes a drone course and curriculum in partnership with Warren County Community College, which provides three dual enrollment credits for students who take the Roxbury class. Through grants and the Civil Air Patrol, the school has accumulated several flight simulators and drones that students are able to borrow and use at home.
There are at least 18 districts in New Jersey implementing either the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association curriculum, or developing their own.
Roxbury’s Board of Education has been the reason why this program has flourished. From the onset, board members have been supportive of starting and growing the aviation program at Roxbury High School. When the idea was pitched to secure a donated plane, the board trusted the administration and approved the donation. When the idea to create an aviation academy in partnership with MCVS was proposed, the board supported and approved the partnership. Board members attended aviation events to show their support for the students and the program. When the program received the NJSBA School Leader Award presented during a Morris County School Boards Association meeting, multiple board members were in attendance. Their continued support of the program has proved vital.
The objective of the program is to inspire and empower the next generation of aviators, engineers, technicians and leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the aviation industry and make a positive impact on the global community.
Ann Marie Smith is an assistant editor and program specialist for New Jersey School Boards Association. She can be reached at amsmith@njsba.org.
