Project Lead The Way and Dryden Flight Research Center of NASA to Partner on Aerospace Curriculum Development

Project Lead The Way is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with the Dryden Flight Research Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to collaborate on the development of Aerospace Engineering curricula for elementary and secondary schools.

The Dryden Flight Research Center, located at Edwards Air Force Base in California, is NASA’s primary flight research facility. Since the end of World War II when X-1 technology at Dryden first challenged the sound barrier, projects at the installation have led to major advancements in the design and capabilities of many civilian and military aircraft.

“This partnership will blend Dryden’s specialized aerospace knowledge and innovation with Project Lead The Way’s experience and success in writing curriculum and training teachers for its instruction,” said Executive Director Richard Blais. “It represents a further opportunity to better educate today’s students for the engineering and technology careers of the future.”

Graduates in the nation’s engineering programs have declined since 1988. Aerospace engineering programs have experienced a 22% reduction of graduates in that time. This partnership is consistent with Project Lead The Way’s mission which is to address the country’s shortage of engineers and engineering technologists. It will result ultimately in courses of study at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels which meet both organizations’ standards for quality and relevance.