Toberman Tech Club for Aviation Sciences

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

STEAM programs are crucial for minority student populations experiencing significant social challenges with limited resources for quality education and equitable access to opportunities and mentorships. Minority groups have been historically underrepresented in STEAM fields. Through engagement in STEAM programs, Toberman will help cultivate a diverse pool of future professionals who can tackle complex societal challenges from various angles, bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and promote a more inclusive society. Investing in STEAM education for minority teens from low-income backgrounds can increase the likelihood of access to higher education and higher income careers that can help break the cycle of poverty. STEAM programs nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among minority teens. By fostering a culture of curiosity and experimentation, Toberman can inspire the next generation of innovators and change-makers from diverse backgrounds.

Toberman Tech continues to bring STEAM programs to our students with the hopes that they will broaden their horizons and potentially explore the fields of science, technology, engineering or math. What began as a program focusing on rockets, expanded to rockets and drones, and new for this year—aviation. The dynamic program is designed to immerse students in the exciting world of STEAM. Our primary aim is to spark curiosity and inspire exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our collaboration with the LAPD's Community Safety Division has been a cornerstone of practical STEAM education and real-world applications. This partnership provides hands-on engineering experiences, where students engage in the entire design-build-test cycle of rocket engineering. Additionally, Toberman will collaborate with The Giving Kids Wing Flight Academy to teach math and science through aviation, by introducing students to aviation careers, and provide career flight training. The Aviation program offers young people the chance to learn about flying and gliding, not just through simulation software, but also through practical, hands-on experience. Following the success of our initial Rocketeer cohort, Toberman will provide comprehensive training by expanding the rocket program, culminating in a trip to the desert to launch a rocket to reach one mile in altitude. The key takeaway is for youth to be exposed to new experiences to better prepare them for a better future.

The surge in popularity of both the rocketeer and drone programs points towards increasing demand for similar ventures. The growing interest in these programs indicates a need for more such initiatives in the future. Investing in these programs means investing in the future of our youth, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to explore and excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This support is not just a contribution towards our programs; it's a commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and leaders. Students from diverse backgrounds can shatter stereotypes and empower individuals to pursue STEAM fields, with lower unemployment rates and higher quality of living.
By implementing STEAM programs tailored to minority populations, particularly teens, Toberman will empower underrepresented groups, promote diversity in STEAM fields, and equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the 21st century workforce.

The Tobermam Tech instructors will develop learning objectives that will align with the project lessons. A variety of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods will be used to measure the impact of the program. Types of assessments will include: 1) Formative Assessment providing students with feedback (in real time) rather than a letter or number grade. The goal is to allow students to learn new ways to approach problem-solving while also showing teachers how they can improve their instruction to better fit the needs of their students. 2) Pre/Post Surveys to measure the level of the students’ understanding in STEAM, and 3) Performance-based Assessment where students will demonstrate mastery of skills and concepts—short answer responses, a brief presentation, or an experiment, and 4) Scoring rubrics to assess project-based learning outcomes focusing on skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem solving.