Excited by Ingenuity: Mars helicopter model demonstration wows Flory Academy students

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Students at a Moorpark school may be inspired to dream of careers in the aerospace industry after witnessing an exciting demonstration of a remote-controlled helicopter similar to the first one to ever fly over the planet Mars.

Students at a Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology assembly watched an April 23 demonstration of an identical model of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter which was deployed above the red planet in 2021.

"Designed for a five-flight technology demonstration, Ingenuity far exceeded expectations by successfully completing an astounding 72 flights before retiring in Martian soil," according to AeroVironment, the company that built the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Virginia-based company employs over 1,000 workers in Moorpark and surrounding communities, and recently announced a new ongoing partnership with the Moorpark Unified School District to advance STEM education, according to a school district news release.

"AeroVironment has been donating and supporting events to different schools throughout our history," said James Dearborn, the company's head of talent and acquisition. "Within the last few years, we have created a community outreach team called IMPACT! that has centralized this effort throughout the organization."

A working replica of AeroVironment's Ingenuity was the focus of a student assembly in Moorpark. (MUSD)

As part of the new partnership with MUSD, AeroVironment will donate classroom equipment, new school artwork and other materials to enhance curriculum. Dearborn said demonstrations like the one held at Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology should increase interest in science.

"In addition to inspiring these students to pursue STEM careers, we want to show them the opportunities they will have in their local communities," Dearborn said. "AeroVironment has some of the best and brightest engineers in the world working for us. STEM students can look forward to future AeroVironment internships and careers, all in their backyard."

AeroVironment is best known for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles for the military and is also a pioneer in human-powered aircraft and solar-powered vehicles. Company officials said they recognize the importance of providing educational opportunities for MUSD students.

"Our community should know that giving back is an important part of our company's values," Dearborn said. "We want to provide the students of Flory with additional resources to continue to cultivate their interest in a STEM education."

MUSD Superintendent Dr. Kelli Hays said she's happy with the new partnership. "We are thrilled to partner with AeroVironment. Their generous support will enhance our students' learning experience and further ignite their passion for STEM."

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