PROJECT BRAVO
When Jeff Geer flies his open cockpit biplane from Bellingham, Washington to Provideniya, Russia, his flight team at Mossyrock Elementary will be ‘along for the ride’.
Project Bravo 369 is based on a historic, record setting flight. Pilot Geer will be flying a 1943 Boeing Stearman PT-13 open cockpit biplane over the famous WWll Lend-Lease Northern Air Route from Great Falls, MT to Nome, AK, then across the Bering Sea to Russia. 
Mossyrock's part of this project will be to incorporate technology by finding and/or creating K-6 lesson plans pertaining to aviation education, culture, climate, etc. Among the lessons will be activities which will allow students to experience Jeff’s flight ‘first hand’ using Google Earth and Microsoft Simulator.
Pilot Geer introduced his flight plans to Mossyrock Elementary students last spring during his visit to the school. Teaching and answering questions, Jeff met with each individual grade level for 30 minutes. At the end of the day an assembly in his honor was held. An original song was sung by the entire student body before sending Jeff off to prepare for the journey. This historic trip is scheduled for the spring/summer of 2010.
A former Mossyrock student was instrumental in bringing the project to Mossyrock. Melanie Sturgeon, class of 1993, brought Jeff to Mossyrock to meet with teachers Martha Sturgeon and Bev McDaniel. He later approached the entire staff and all eagerly agreed this project was one in which the school would like to become involved. Bev, in the second year of OSPI’s Enhancing Education Through Technology, a peer coaching grant, is working with Martha to provide a place for staff and interested educators to place educational materials. A district Project Bravo website has been created as a result of this opportunity: http://eett.mossyrock.k12.wa.us The website is continually under construction and upgraded. Pilot Geer’s Bravo 369 website can be viewed at http://www.bravo369.org.
As part of being re-certified on a tail dragger plane, Jeff planned to fly a Cessna 120 to Mossyrock last spring. To pique the students’ interest in this flight, a variety of aircraft pictures were posted in the halls. Classrooms graphed their predictions of what plane Jeff would fly to Mossyrock. Teachers were provided with a variety of activities in which students could participate. Internet links were placed on the website for quick access to age appropriate activities thereby creating enthusiasm prior to the visit. Students created invitations for friends and family. Classrooms used Jeff’s flight plan to figure air mileage. Unfortunately, the flight had to be cancelled, but his visit still took place. Fortunately, a flight to Mossyrock in the the actual biplane being flown to Russia is being planned by Pilot Geer later this year.
An activity booklet, lesson plans, and an Internet exploration, ‘Just for Land Lubbers’ will soon be completed and placed on the website. The intent is for students to expand their knowledge of aviation, and follow the trip’s path while touching on the various curriculum subjects.
Two very well known museums have shown interest in Project Bravo 369. While recently vacationing in WA DC, Melanie Sturgeon contacted the top educational coordinator at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and later made connections with the educational coordinator at Hill Air Force Base Aerospace Museum, in Clearwater, UT. Both museums were very interested in the project and asked for contact information.
With more and more teachers and students becoming aware of this historic flight, Mossyrock is excited to spearhead this educational endeavor. Check back to see how many schools across America and Canada have joined the record-setting flight team, and which schools have added lessons to the Bravo 369 website headed for “national recognition.” Climb on board, strap yourselves in and fly with the Mossyrock students as they take off on a historic flight to Russia.
Melanie Sturgeon and Pilot Jeff Geer answered questions these students had about his upcoming flight.