Mission
THE TOM WATHEN CENTER USES AVIATION TO STIMULATE AN INTEREST AND COMPETENCE IN SCIENSE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM), WITH A SPEICAL EMPHASIS ON AERONAUTICS AND ON DEVELOPING A SENSE OF CIVIC OBLIGATION AND LEADERSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO STUDENTS RANGING IN AGE FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH POST-SECONDARY, EMPHASIZING SECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTIONS ARE RELATED SO AS TO BUILD CONTINUITY OF LEARNING, STARTING WITH SIMPLE CONCEPTS AND PROGRESSING THROUGH INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED SUBJECT MATTER, ALL DESIGNED TO USE THE FASCINATION OF FLIGHT TO INSPIRE THE LOVE OF LEARNING FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND SATISFYING LIVES.