The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City is creating an aviation and drone program using a $40,000 grant.
The $40,000 grant is from Battelle, which provides funds meant to help close gaps in STEM programming to reach underserved students.
The multi-faceted aviation program began in fall 2022, when promising STEM high school students took an introductory aviation course offered through Atlantic Cape Community College. Those students then worked with Boys and Girls Club staffers to mentor 160 inner-city youths during the second half of the school year.
Both the club and Battelle credit the Atlantic County Economic Alliance with getting the program off the ground.
Battelle was led to the club through a conversation with ACEA President Lauren Moore Jr., explained Don LaMonaca, director of Battelle’s Critical Infrastructure Business Line.
LaMonaca, a contractor at the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center, became interested in the Aviation Innovation Hub and the National Aerospace Research & Technology Park as a potential site location for Battelle’s Southern Jersey operation.
Once he learned that the ACEA is part of the park development team and a leader in the Aviation Innovation Hub, he reached out to Moore for information.
“Don described Battelle’s mission around STEM education to me and my team and we told him about the ACEA’s efforts to advance aviation education programs for Atlantic County youth,” Moore said. “While the ACEA’s activities often focus on business attraction and the diversification of our regional economy, we recognize the need for Atlantic County’s youth to be key players in developing the business trends of tomorrow. Thanks to Battelle, these students are getting invaluable exposure to the aviation industry, drone piloting, and to the many career opportunities this field presents for them, hopefully right here in Atlantic County.”
LaMonaca said the Boys and Girls Club fits in with other high-quality STEM education programs in whic Battelle invests.
“Our annual grant awards are helping reach talented young students in Atlantic City, who may have not otherwise had access to STEM programs that support their interest,” he said.
The Boys and Girls Club has used the Battelle grant to cover staffing costs, enrollment in the ACCC aviation course and purchase of equipment, including drones.
Seven high school students successfully passed the aviation class and earned college credits.
“Battelle and ACEA, through their resources in the field of aviation, have provided our youth at Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City the opportunity to not only learn more about a field very unfamiliar to them, but they have had the opportunity to educate their peers during the process,” said Dr. Aigner Holmes, Boys and Girls Club chief operating officer. “Our youth are informed daily that there is no limit to their success; opportunities such as this allow for them to be creative, to think big, and surpass their own imaginations.”
Battelle is an independent nonprofit organization that advances science and technology to have the greatest impact on our society.
Battelle’s team based in Egg Harbor Township works with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to develop aviation safety and security technologies to safeguard airports across the country.
“Since that initial interaction with Lauren and his team, the ACEA has provided insights and access to educational initiatives in Atlantic County that align with Battelle’s philanthropic objectives,” LaMonaca said. “They have served as my primary interface for developing and administering associated grant applications and funding. Their involvement has been invaluable in helping to maximize the impact of Battelle’s support to STEM education programs for youth in our local community.”
The Boys and Girls Club intends to continue the program next school year, Holmes said.
This year’s final drone program concluded with a documentary featuring video of Atlantic City’s 48 blocks captured by drones.
Holmes is quick to point out that the song presented in the video was also written and produced by the club’s kids.
