PenAir Donates $100K to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s NW Florida STEM Center of Excellence Programs
Pensacola, Fla. (September 15, 2022) – PenAir Federal Credit Union is pleased to donate $100,000 in support of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s NW Florida STEM Center of Excellence. Funds will directly support the National Flight Academy, Flight Adventure Deck, and DoD STARBASE programs.
“We’re always looking for like-minded, community partnerships that enhance lives,” says Delbert Lee Morgan, PenAir Federal Credit Union’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “And talk about leaving a lasting impact for those in our own backyard. The STEM Center of Excellence programs have the potential to drive career choices of students by exposing them to options they may never have thought were within reach. Our local community is extremely fortunate to have such a high-impacting STEM program at our fingertips.”
The National Flight Academy (NFA) provides STEM education to students in grades 7th through 12th using their state-of-the-art Aircraft carrier themed schoolhouse Ambition. NFA’s immersive simulated environment is coupled with revolutionary methods in instruction, to help foster cooperative learning and inspire young people to pursue math, science, and engineering degrees for the careers of tomorrow. The Flight Adventure Deck is a collaborative program between the Foundation and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts. This program targets middle school students and provides a hands-on learning experience within the National Naval Aviation Museum. DoD STARBASE is a nationwide program focused on fifth-grade students at Title 1 schools. Students attend for 5 days while completing a 25-hour nationally standardized STEM curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics.
“Through the generosity of partners like PenAir Federal Credit Union, the Northwest Florida STEM Center of Excellence will continue to positively impact and influence the lives of numerous students in the panhandle region,” says Pat Everly CAPT USN (Ret), Executive Director, National Flight Academy.
To learn more about the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s NW Florida STEM Center of Excellence, visit nationalflightacademy.com.
About PenAir Federal Credit Union
At PenAir Federal Credit Union, respect is a guiding principle. As the largest and oldest credit union headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, with $2.3 billion in assets, PenAir is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional service, strength, and financial solutions. With 11 locations in Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama combined with online and mobile banking, we provide worldwide reach. PenAir is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution, serving the community and improving lives since 1936. For more information, visit penair.org.
About the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation
The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is the nonprofit, 501(c)(3), sole benefactor to the National Naval Aviation Museum—and the fuel that allows the museum to take flight. The Foundation is responsible for funding all museum operation, expansion, and activity. The Foundation works diligently to raise funding through gifts and memberships. All funding, aside from Foundation staffing and operational costs, goes to the operation, maintenance and enhancement of the museum, including museum expansion, aircraft preservation, conservation and maintenance, development of new exhibits and support of day to day functions—including custodial services, marketing, operation of the Museum’s various attractions (such as our Naval Aviation Memorial Giant Screen Theater, flight simulators, Blue Angels 4D Experience and Flight Deck gift shop), as well as the production of major events at the Museum. The Foundation also supports the advancement of STEM education through DoD STARBASE Title 1 program and the National Flight Academy, a cutting edge, aviation-themed learning experience.