W. J. Whittaker, Jr.
Science Consultant K-12 (retired)
School District of Greenville County
Greenville, South Carolina

Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
Greenville Composite Squadron

Renewable Water Resources (ReWa)
Commissioner
_____________________________________________________

I attended the Aerospace Program for Teachers at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and became a speaker for our local area.

We developed the Aerospace Education Class for 9th grade students at Greer High School in South Carolina during the Piedmont School project. I was the Aerospace Education Director for the Greenville South Carolina Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron, Information Officer and Mission Pilot. We offered courses in aerospace to provide our cadets with a basic aerospace education so they could better understand and appreciate their aerospace world. The requirements for enrollment were to be a CAP cadet. Our purpose was not to train them to become pilots, astronauts or engineers; rather, we wanted to provide them with basic knowledge, skills and attitudes about aerospace that will enable them to live and function in today's society. These young people in today's schools will become tomorrow's taxpayers and voters. It is vital that they understand the importance of aerospace development, both present and potential, so that their decisions can be based on an inferred viewpoint rather than on ignorance. The topics covered were the historical background in aerospace, the age of barnstorming, the age of general aviation, transportation, jet age, and space travel. A curriculum guide was developed on general and specific objectives of aerospace concepts, activities and evaluations after each topic. (1)

To many of our youth today, the future looks very bleak. At every turn they see and hear about the energy crisis, shortage of many of our natural resources, pollution, populations and hunger problems, along with world unrest and armed confrontation. The result of this is that many of them question their future and the legacy left by the present generation. However, the future shines brightly in aerospace. (2)

We developed a DVD for the Squadron describing our program with cadet input and used in our recruitment program.

Please find attached my resume, several pictures, and two articles, one titled "The Science of Living" and the other titled "Roper Mountain In the Beginning".

- W. J. Whittaker, Jr., Major

(1)Aerospace: The Challenge. Published 1975. Second Edition 1983. Printed in USA.
(2)Aerospace: The Challenge. Published 1975. Second Edition 1983. Printed in USA.