Aviation class takes off at Fairless
Austin Bailey, left, Noah Miller, Greg Grimm and Robert Harris
Anew study course has been implemented at Fairless Local High School. The class titled aviation science was unveiled at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year and has peaked students interest in aviation studies. It is a four-year course for freshman to seniors.
Eric Johnson is the instructor. Johnson was a middle school science and math teacher and moved into the high school to teach the class. There are 39 students in the class, mostly freshman.
This particular class project was launching hot air balloons. Students designed hot air balloons made by using tissue paper, glue sticks and duct tape.
“Teams of students cut the tissue paper into rectangular pieces and created gores and made it into curves using a glue stick. The duct tape on the bottom holds up the balloon. A corn popper was used to push hot air into the balloon to make it fly,” Johnson said. “Some of the hot air balloons had holes and would cause weight distribution. They were repaired.”
Johnson said to the class, “Hopefully, your balloon flies today. Reflect on the flight of the hot air balloon your team constructed. What factors may have influenced the flight? Why did your balloon perform better or worse than balloons of other teams?”
Freshman Robert Harris said he enjoys the class.
“I want to learn about airplanes and aircraft,” Harris said.
Fairless Superintendent Michael Hearn said the district was seeking a program unique to Fairless.
“Assistant High School Principal Tammy Bixler-Zalesinsky’s dad is a private pilot, and she knew a lot about these programs. Steubenville High School offers the program, and we observed how that program began and the interest generated from the students. We received a grant to purchase shirts for the students as they visited different areas to learn about aircrafts and aviation,” Hearn said.
Bixler-Zalesinsky explained how the aviation science program became a realization.
“Four years ago we were trying to find a niche and develop a program that would build more than a class. Several options came to the top of the list such as early aircraft, pilots, drones, engineering and different partnerships dealing with airplanes. We contacted the officials at the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter located at Harry Clever Field in New Philadelphia. Our students have visited the Air Maps Museum and the Kent State Aviation,” she said. “Some of the students expressed an interest in joining the military, flying airplanes or helicopters.
“Aviation in general appeals more to boys; however, we wanted to make it for everyone. It is a cleverly designed science class that is fun. We are building more than a class. The purpose is to offer the class for ninth grade through 12th grade. We will offer a summer program for elementary and a program for the middle school students held after school. I found the class to be fun, engaging and interesting for the students.”
Last week Stark County Commissioner Bill Smith and his family brought a hot air balloon to Fairless High as the aviation science program unit on hot air balloons was ending. The hot air balloon was tethered at the rear of the high school.