Embry-Riddle Expands Free, For-Credit Online Courses

All high school junior and senior students across Florida and Arizona are being offered a slate of free, for-credit online courses through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Photo by David Massey

Driven by its mission to inspire a passion for science,technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in young people,Embry-Riddle has expanded its free course offerings to include seven for-creditintroductory aviation classes, all available online and none requiring previouscollege education.

The high school courses include Aeronautics Pathway (ASCI202), Aviation Legislation (ASCI 254), Introduction to Computers &Applications (CSCI 109), Foundations of Biology (BIOL 120), History of Aviationin America (HIST 130), Meteorology (WEAX 201), and Introduction to Sociology(SOCI 210).

“Over the past 25 years, Embry-Riddle has pioneered remotelearning and developed an exceptional platform for instruction and studentengagement,” said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler. “That experience putsus in a unique position to help students continue to learn and develop a senseof wonder for our world, even while they’re out of school.”

Offering free, for-credit online courses to high schoolstudents in Florida and Arizona reflects Embry-Riddle’s overarching goal toinspire more young people to pursue careers in STEM fields, Butler added.

Mori Hosseini, chairman of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees,said, “Helping businesses advance STEM innovation and job growth is animportant way that Embry-Riddle serves its communities and industry partners,and helps bolster economic progress, particularly in Florida and Arizona, thestates that host our two residential campuses. As a pioneer in onlineeducation, Embry-Riddle has a wonderful opportunity to give back to ourcommunities during the current health crisis.”

In addition, two no-cost massive open online courses (MOOCs)also remain open and available to all students.

“Aviation 101” is geared toward learners of any age.Exploring aerodynamics, airport operations, air traffic control and a varietyof other topics in a nine-lesson video series, the course offers participants ahead-start on pursuing a variety of high-paying jobs throughout the aviationindustry.

Aviation 101 — a free, self-paced, online Introduction toAviation course — is available now.

“Aviation is Your Future,” an introduction to aviation forchildren aged 8 to 17, is a self-paced, six-hour online course that introducesyoung people to aviation fundamentals. The course explores basic aspects offlight, as well as teaches participants how to identify major parts of anairplane, describe the flight characteristics of a helicopter and discuss spaceexploration.

The next “Aviation is Your Future” course is scheduled to run through May 30.