DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER WELCOMES COLONEL TYLER R. SCHAFF TO GLOBAL AIR DRONE ACADEMY (GADA)

316^TH Wing Commander Visits STEAM Camp – Saturday, July 10 

Prince George’s County Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker (D-District 8) will welcome Colonel Tyler R. Schaff, 316^th Wing Commander to her STEAM-focused drone education workshop as a part of the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA) STEAM Program on Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 11:00 to Noon at Oxon Hill High School, 6701 Leyte Drive in Oxon Hill, MD.  The GADA camp hours are from 11:00 am – 2:00 p.m.

 The Drone Education Workshop, provided through a partnership between Council Member Anderson-Walker and the Global Air Drone Academy, is a four-week STEAM focused program for elementary, middle and high school students. The workshop began June 19^th and will conclude on July 17^th.  

Council Member Anderson-Walker’s years of discussions with Colonel Tyler R. Schaff, 316^th Wing Commander at Joint Base Andrew’s Airforce Base (JBA-AAFB) "have manifested into a truly unique alliance that will yield additional exposure opportunities for students."  

Council Member Anderson – Walker noted the benefits of exposing students to STEAM fields.

“I believe that providing access to initiatives for our youth expands their minds, while building self-confidence. The STEAM approach to learning, using Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, enables our students to balance creativity and critical thinking. Exposure is everything, taking one beyond their imagination and assisting in applying the knowledge learned, and broadening options for career development.”

 Colonel Tyler R. Schaff, 316^th Wing Commander at Joint Base Andrews, will engage with participating County youth and share how their GADA experience can expand career options. Participants will demonstrate their flying techniques, applications and coding learned, and discuss any entrepreneurial opportunities they are now considering with Colonel Schaff.

“The opportunity to work with Council Member Anderson-Walker on the STEAM Drone Camp initiative to build and challenge young minds is truly an honor,” said Col. Tyler Schaff, 316th Wing Commander. “The 316th Wing is always looking for new ways to advance and find new and improved ways to get the mission done, and the fast-approaching impact of drone technology is an exciting and educational activity for students in the local community. I look forward to hosting these inspiring students at our wing in the future.”

 “I am grateful that our students will have the opportunity this summer to enhance their science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics skills,” said Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools. “We appreciate Council Member Anderson-Walker’s    support in preparing our youth for the world beyond our schoolhouse doors.”