Pamela Jordan, Marketing Education Teacher at Warren County High School, has been researching field trip ideas to connect her Marketing and DECA students with STEM grant opportunities. One day her online research led her to the iFLY facility in Virginia Beach, where they offer school groups a STEM and Career overview by a Science Professor, a hands-on STEM Lab and Business Discussion, followed by an opportunity to experience the concept of flying using an indoor sky diving tunnel. Ms. Jordan enlisted the help of CTE Director Ernie Conner and SEMAA Director Jerome Williams for trip funding ideas, which led to a STEM grant partnership opportunity with Elizabeth City State University. This partnership helped to fund a unique experience for 34 Marketing Education students, including some students actively participating in the SEMAA Program. "The iFLY staff did an awesome job of engaging our students in STEM careers, explaining how the Flight Simulator works, and iFLY as a Franchise and Niche Marketing opportunity. The students learned about resting velocity and what it would take to make them suspend in air. Seeing them fly was incredible, and this was an experience they will never forget. They are still sharing photos and videos of their trip." Further exploration of Entrepreneurship led the group to the 2nd leg of their trip at Dave and Busters, a state-of-the-art gaming facility opened by a restaurant owner (Dave) and entertainment gaming entrepreneur (Buster) in 1982. "The idea of iFly as well as Dave and Busters originated from entrepreneurs who had a passion for something they enjoyed doing which led to a thriving business empire. I endeavor to inspire my Marketing students to find their passion and become moguls."
Front Row, L to R: Pamela Jordan, Marketing Teacher; Shardae Ferguson, Amber Steed, Centricia Davis, Kelli Rodriguez, Stevanna Sargeant, Shawn Peebles, SEMAA Coordinator
2nd Row, L to R: Cecilia Luna, Briana Hargrove, Jordan Cheek, Dominecha Crenshaw, Regine Palmer, Cheyenne Carter
3rd Row, L to R: Takeya Kearney, Diamond Baskerville, Lashara Taylor, Greg Lewis, Destiny Davis, Faith Fogg, Jodeci Boyd, Jimesha Davis
4th Row, L to R: Makayla Jones, Dustin Fountain, Asia Baskerville, Sha'Da Bullock, Javier Pierce, Mallory Richardson, Justin Fountain, Yania Mills, Jahari Williams, Darius Walker, Aaron Bender
5th Row, L to R: Reginald Stevenson, DeKarri Green, Nijah Durham
Not Pictured: Aaliyah Fields
DECA Marketing Member Faith Fogg takes flight at the iFLY Indoor Sky Diving Facility in Virginia Beach, VA
