SWIC Aviation Summer Sampler Camp Introduces High School Students to Technical Training Opportunities, Industry Professionals and the Joy of Flight

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from Metro-East IL districts participated in the Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Aviation Summer Sampler Camp held on July 9-11 at three area locations. The camp is offered as a collaboration of ROE40 STEM Initiative, Southwestern Illinois College, the Illinois Math & Science Academy and St. Louis Downtown Airport. Funding was provided by the Air & Space Outreach STEM Grant through Scott AFB and the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Grant.

The three-day camp met at SWIC's Belleville Campus on Thursday, their Granite City Campus on Friday and at St. Louis Downtown Airport for a career fair and Young Eagle Flights courtesy of EAA Chapter 64 on Saturday. Camp Coordinator Dr. Kelly Remijan, SWIC academic staff and volunteer presenters provided this extraordinary opportunity for thirty students to participate in aviation STEM activities and interact with highly respected aerospace professionals. Dr. Remijan credits the camp's success on a collaborative team effort among those contributors mentioned here and many others working behind the scenes throughout the year. The Aero Experience was privileged to be on site all three days to capture the highlights and interact with the students. 

Day 1, SWIC Belleville Campus: Machining, Engineering and Flight Simulation.   

David Berry, SWIC Technical Education Division Coordinator, led the students through the process of creating custom engraved name blocks in the Precision Machining Technology Program facility. The name blocks were programmed in the classroom, and the cutting instructions were sent to the CNC machines. This simple project demonstrated one step in the manufacturing process used in aerospace and other industries. 

 

The Engineering project was led by SWIC Engineering Instructor Dr. Mitchell Robertson and Rebecca Zurek, an Aerospace Engineer at the Boeing Company and a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The project involved constructing a rubber band and propeller-powered wheeled vehicle and testing it over a measured course. The students experimented with the number of times the propeller was wound, along with other minor changes to the vehicle as needed to roll the required distance.

Students also received some expert instruction in the Flight Simulation area of the Aviation Pilot Training Program. Former U.S. Air Force C-130 Navigator/Instructor and current commercial pilot Anita Mack and her team led the students through flight scenarios in preparation for their Young Eagle Flights on Day 3.

  

Day 1 concluded with a special guest speaker, Major Joshua "Nic" Young, a United States Air Force pilot stationed at Scott Air Force Base. He told his story of being accepted into the United States Air Force Academy after attending the Academy's Prep School, flying the C-21A and C-17A Globemaster III jets, and inspiring others to do the same through the Accelerating the Legacy Program. He currently serves as the Branch Chief, Intra-Theater Airlift, 618th Air Operations Center, at Scott Air Force Base.

Day 2, SWIC Granite City Campus: Aircraft Maintenance, Avionics and Drones

SWIC Instructors Dan Enterkin and Kevin Connelly led the activities in the Aviation Maintenance Technology hangar. One group learned to drill and rivet aluminum plates to simulate aircraft construction and repair, while another group observed the runup of a Honeywell TFE-731 turbofan engine on the outdoor test stand. These are just some of the skills needed to earn the Airframe and Powerplant Certificates while working toward an associate or bachelor's degree.

The new SWIC Aviation Electronics Technology (Avionics) one-year certificate program has gained in popularity since its inception in January of 2025. Led by Instructor Nick Mansker, the program is offered as a stand-alone certificate or as a supplement to the Airframe and Powerplant Technician course. During their time in the avionics session, the students created a mini aircraft lighting system by soldering circuit boards and LED lights to an aircraft planform.

Another activity on Day 2, led by SWIC Instructor Brad Clarkson and Lewis & Clark Community College Instructor Karl Herman, involved flying a mini quadcopter drone from basic maneuvers to conquering an obstacle course. In a very short time, each student confidently flew their drone through the tires and knocked the mini globe off its base.

Day 2 concluded with a panel discussion featuring local aviation professionals. Each panel member described the career development steps to their current position and encouraged the students to seek guidance toward achieving their own aspirations. They are (L-R):

 Aaron Cockrell, ATP, A&P/IA, CFI, Dispatcher; Brandon Rose, former United States Air Force F-22A Raptor Crew Chief, Pilot, Corporate Jet A&P; Meghan O'Donnell, former Media Personality and Flight Attendant for GoJet Airlines; Rebecca Zurek, Aeronautical Engineer at the Boeing Company; Allison Schwaegel, Air Traffic Controller at St. Louis-Lambert International Airport; Chris Valadez, former United States Air Force KC-135 and C-21A Pilot, Charter Pilot and Civil Air Patrol Pilot; Moderator Jamie Gotto, Pilot, SWIC Instructor and Board Member of Women in Aviation St. Louis Chapter. Also appearing on screen was United States Air Force Pilot and United States Air Force Academy Graduate Major Anthony "Raptor" Lannigan. 

Credentials mentioned above are only those applicable to the panel discussion role; each individual holds other certifications and licenses too numerous to mention here. Topics discussed were based on student questions, and included an overview of each panelist's career choice, the training and education needed to achieve them and where to start when exploring aviation career options. The atmosphere was informal, and students continued with one-on-one conversations after the panel concluded.

Day 3, St. Louis Downtown Airport: Career Fair and Young Eagle Flights

On Day 3, the students assembled at St. Louis Downtown Airport for a career fair and Young Eagle Flights provided by EAA Chapter 64 and AeroCareers. Multiple exhibitors were available to the students in the airport fire house, and static display aircraft were provided by Ideal Aviation and STL Flight Training, both based at the airport. AeroCareers also flew in The New Spirit of St. Louis., a Lancair Columbia used by Erik Lindbergh to recreate his famous grandfather's solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Students and parents also had the opportunity to go on a special tour of the newly-expanded Gulfstream finishing facility.

Reviews are already coming in from the students and parents. Here is a sample provided by Dr. Remijan:

Nothing to improve... this is a world-class STEM event that should be the benchmark for all STEM events everywhere! Thank you for making this available to all!

Camp was comprehensive, informative, and very organized. Communication was great. No complaints. Loved everything about it. A very great value as well. I'd be willing to pay double or more for this opportunity! Highly recommend!

The overall experience was very eye opening and my camper, who was struggling to find exactly what they wanted to do in aviation, found something that sparked their interest.

The hands on stuff like soldering was cool

The guest speakers were good, in my eyes there are no real reasons to change it

The overall experience was very enjoyable and many of the opportunities were insightful and interesting. I do wish we went into more detail about certain things like engineering and avionics.

Great way to see college life in a different way. My son told me he really liked the instructors. Thank you.

I really liked the flight

My children had an amazing experience, thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day camp. Thank you so much for making such an affordable experience, that allowed kids to learn more about the aviation field and career opportunities!

This was a great camp it was helpful in gaining perspective on different jobs in aviation

It was awesome. The other campers, staff, guest speakers, etc are AMAZING. Super fun and I’m definitely looking forward to next years camp.

I feel like it was helpful, but I wish we would have heard about it 2 years ago.

Special thanks go out to the SWIC Aviation Camp Committee: Dr. Kelly Remijan, Lead camp Coordinator, Air & Space STEM Outreach Grant Recipient and Director of STEM Initiatives for the Regional Office of Education #40; Dawn Waller, Illinois Math and Science Academy in Metro East Innovation Hub Coordinator; Jamie Gotto, SWIC Instructor & Woman in Aviation Board Member; Katherine Braun, SWIC Aviation Department Administrative Assistant; and Keith Mueller, SWIC Aviation Department Coordinator.

The Aero Experience thanks everyone involved in sponsoring, planning and conducting the SWIC Aviation Summer Sampler Camp, and we look forward to covering future STEM events.