The Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES), represents an innovative collaboration between Accomack County Public Schools (ACPS), Northampton County Public Schools (NCPS), and the Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC), in partnership with Old Dominion University (ODU). Through this partnership, the AAES provides high school and dual-enrollment courses as part of the Eastern Shore Lab School, accessible virtually through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning to support students in their home schools.
The AAES leads curriculum development and manages the academic components of the program, ensuring high-quality instruction tailored to meet the needs of Eastern Shore students. Together, AAES and ODU are also committed to strengthening recruitment efforts and community engagement, broadening access to aerospace education and career pathways for students across the Eastern Shore.
Mission
The Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES) is dedicated to empowering students by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to thrive in aerospace and related industries. Our mission is to inspire future leaders, foster a laboratory of educational innovation, and drive collaborative research that advances transformative practices. Through our commitment to access and opportunity, we aim to build a pathway for students to shape the future of the aerospace industry.
Lottery Information
Timeline: Applications open early November for next academic year cohort.
Lottery runs end of January. Rolling waitlist.
AAES Program of Study
9th Grade Co-located at Zoned High Schools
- Engineering Exploration with Aerospace (8450)
- Computer Science Principles Data Innovators Python Coding (10011)
10th Grade Co-located at Zoned High Schools
- Engineering Analysis & Applications with Aerospace (8451)
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals in Aerospace (6302)
11th and 12th Grade Located at Eastern Shore Community College
Pathways
- I. Certified Aerospace Technician
- II. Aerospace Engineering Technology
*Industry Credentials Earned at AAES: Autodesk Certified User Examination, Part 107 UAS
Northampton High School
7207 Young St
Machipongo, VA 23405
Nandua High School
26350 Lankford Hwy
Onley, VA 23418
Arcadia High School
8210 Lankford Hwy
Oak Hall, VA 23416
Chincoteague High School
4586 Main St,
Chincoteague, VA 23336
Eastern Shore Community College
9316 Lankford Highway
Melfa, VA 23410
Contact
Governing Board
| Name | Job Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
|
Papelis, Yiannis E. |
ODU Research Professor, Vmasc Cto,& Exec Dir Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center |
Old Dominion University |
|
Garner, Joanna K. |
ODU Research Professor & Exec Dir, The Center for Educational Partnerships |
Old Dominion University |
|
Fergus, Jeff W. |
ODU Professor & Dean Batten College of Engineering and Technology |
Old Dominion University |
|
Ramzi Ockaili |
ESCC Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs |
Eastern Shore Community College |
|
Lisa Martin |
Northampton County Public Schools, Superintendent |
Northampton County Public Schools |
| Karen Taylor | Accomack County Public Schools, Executive Director of Secondary Education | Accomack County Public Schools |
AAES Adventures
Aerospace Day on the Eastern Shore of VA for all 8th Graders for an interactive day with industry professionals at the Eastern Shore Community College. Students learn about NASA Wallops Flight Facility.
Students construct and launch their own rockets.
The Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Hangar D-1
Model rocket demonstration and launch during the AAES Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. AAES student and Congresswomen Jen Kiggans launching a rocket.
AAES students working collaboratively on an Engineering Design Project to design, construct, and test a pumpkin catcher.
AAES students touring the launch pads at Wallops, VA led by Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA).
Engineering fluid hydraulics activity during class lab day.
Students constructed STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment), open-source, low-cost, do-it-yourself handheld instruments. Led by Mike Taylor (not in photo), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from the Landsat mission.
Students taking remote sensing measurements of the electromagnetic spectrum of various objects with their newly constructed STELLA.
Aerospace Day on the Eastern Shore of VA for all 8th Graders for an interactive day with industry professionals at the Eastern Shore Community College. Students learn about NASA Wallops Flight Facility.
Students construct and launch their own rockets.
The Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Hangar D-1
Model rocket demonstration and launch during the AAES Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. AAES student and Congresswomen Jen Kiggans launching a rocket.
AAES students working collaboratively on an Engineering Design Project to design, construct, and test a pumpkin catcher.
AAES students touring the launch pads at Wallops, VA led by Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA).
Engineering fluid hydraulics activity during class lab day.
Students constructed STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment), open-source, low-cost, do-it-yourself handheld instruments. Led by Mike Taylor (not in photo), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from the Landsat mission.
Students taking remote sensing measurements of the electromagnetic spectrum of various objects with their newly constructed STELLA.