The San Diego Air & Space Museum is offering three introductory courses in aerospace fields for students between 15-18 years old. Each course will provide foundational workforce training in STEM concepts and aeronautics. All classes will be held at the Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex at 335 Kenney Street, El Cajon, CA 92020.

The three courses include Aerospace Engineering in the Winter of 2024 (November 16 - December 21), Airframe Design and Fabrication in the Spring of 2025 (March 8 – April 6), and Basic Piloting in the Summer of 2025 (July 12 to August 16). The Winter and Spring courses will be offered on consecutive Saturdays, 2 hours per day, during a six-week program from 9-11 AM. The Summer course is a one-day class lasting 3 hours, offered on eight consecutive Saturdays beginning on July 12, 2025, and ending on August 16, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM.

Aerospace Engineering, Winter 2024 (November 16 – December 21, Saturdays Only)

November 16 – December 21, Every Saturday from 9 AM – 11 AM

The Aerospace Engineering course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of flight mechanics, aerodynamic forces, and stability and control of flying objects in a simplified form with a minimum amount of mathematical computation. Students participate in a hands-on activity building model airplanes while focusing on the concepts of aircraft design, construction, and flight. Expected learning outcome is that students will gain a basic level understanding of fundamental concepts in physics that are central to aerospace. 

Minimum of 10, Maximum of 25 students, Open enrollment will begin October 2024

Click here to sign up

Airframe Design and Fabrication, Spring 2025 (March 12 – April 6, Saturdays Only)

Introduction to Airframe Design and Fabrication introduces students to basic elements of aircraft structure and materials, combining principles of aerodynamics, materials technology, and manufacturing methods with a focus on weight, strength, reliability, and aerodynamic drag. Students participate in multiple hands-on projects, including fabricating wood aircraft ribs, installing fabric coverings, and using metal materials. Expected learning outcome is that students will obtain a fundamental understanding of engineering principles critical to aircraft design. 

Minimum of 10, Maximum 20 students, Open enrollment will begin January 2025

Basic Piloting, Summer 2025 (July 12th to August 16, Saturdays Only)

Introduction to Piloting introduces students to the fundamentals of piloting through exploration of a variety of basic aviation concepts, including aircraft systems and instruments, communication, performance, and navigation. Students participate in hands-on exploration of aircraft instruments (including gauges), charting, and radio communication with Air Traffic Control, as well as with other aircraft. Students will acquire knowledge of the essentials of aviation as a possible stepping stone to a career in aviation.

This three-hour class is divided into two parts: the first two hours of classroom instruction and exploration and the final hour touring airplanes on display at the Museum’s Gillespie Hangar and observing live take-offs and landings on an adjacent Gillespie Field Airport runway.

Minimum of 10, Maximum of 20, Open enrollment will begin June 2025

Enrollment Fees:

Aerospace Engineering, $150 for six sessions (25 student limit)

Airframe Design and Fabrication, $150 for six sessions (20 student limit)

Basic Piloting, $30 for a 3-hour class. 6 classes are available between July and August 2025. (30 student limit per class)

Scholarships are available for need-based participants. For more information, contact Katrina Pescador at kpescador@sdasm.org.