The JFK Redevelopment Aviation and Aeronautics Academy (JFKRAAA) celebrated 375 students in a jam-packed graduation ceremony held in the college gymnasium on March 21, 2026. K1–12 student participants from the Spring 2026 (8th) cohort showcased over 100 thoughtfully constructed projects and creative artwork on aviation-related topics for attending parents, caregivers, and guests.
As in previous sessions, the Spring 2026 program primarily served students from the greater York community while also welcoming participants from surrounding areas near York College. Enrollment continues to exceed expectations, consistently surpassing 350 students, with a growing waitlist becoming the norm. Notably, female participation remains strong in elementary and middle school grades, while male participation is higher at the high school level.
A notable staffing achievement is that one-third of current program staff—both graduate and undergraduate students—are from York College. Recent partnerships with ACE (Accelerate, Complete, Engage), College Now, and YECA (York Early College Academy) have streamlined recruitment efforts, particularly for peer leaders supporting upcoming sessions.
Students selected grade-appropriate projects based on weekly lessons covering a wide range of STEM and aviation topics, including women in aviation, aviation careers, properties of air, aerodynamics, basic robotics, Python-based robot construction, automation in aviation, machine language, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, web development, generative AI, electric circuits, airport design, cybersecurity, aerospace engineering, satellite communications, navigation and GPS, drone technology, and flight simulation using the state-of-the-art Redbird Simulator and the legacy simulator housed in the Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL). Students also explored weather phenomena such as storms, blizzards, and dust clouds.
Throughout the program, many lessons evolved into hands-on, applied learning experiences. Students benefited from newly acquired STEM kits and tools, as well as instruction from experts in IT, web development, electrical engineering, and supply chain and manufacturing. Participants expressed strong appreciation for the technical depth of instruction and for exposure to cutting-edge technologies and career pathways. These outcomes directly support the program’s mission to prepare students for technology-driven academic and professional futures.
The culminating event drew 570 parents and family members, who were highly impressed by the students’ accomplishments over the four-Saturday program. Dr. Derrick Brazill (Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, York College) brought greetings from Dr. Claudia Schrader, President of York College. Dr. Derrick Brazill, Dr. Timothy Paglione (Interim Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, York College), Rachelle Antoine (External Affairs & Community Engagement, JFK Development, Port Authority of NY & NJ), Dr. Nazrul Khandaker, and Dr. Billy Metallinos emphasized the importance of early STEM engagement, particularly in connection with the JFK Redevelopment Project, and encouraged students to continue building technology-based skills for the future workforce.
Guest speaker, Zachary Sanichar, a York College graduate in information management and former NASA STEM program instructor, shared his journey with students. He highlighted how his early experiences in STEM education led to his current role as a senior software engineer at Zebra Technologies.
The JFKRAAA program continues its longitudinal tracking of high school seniors, including those entering college in Fall 2026. Based on recent data, 15 students will attend institutions such as Stony Brook University, CUNY Macaulay Honors College, and John Jay College. The program’s leadership team—Dr. Nazrul Khandaker, Dr. Billy Metallinos, Andrew Singh, and Omadevi Singh regularly support students by writing letters of recommendation that highlight their STEM achievements.
Since its launch in fall 2023, the JFKRAAA program has provided high-quality STEM education to over 2,350 students. Currently, at least 50 high school students are in college or about to enter college in fall 2026. Among the notable peer leaders, Jessie Chen (Cornell University) and Noora Nizar (Columbia University) are making very satisfactory progress in their academic STEM fields. Overall, this continued success in both academics and in outreach is made possible through the pivotal support of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, whose partnership has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for the greater York community and for the passionate staff consisting of 21 instructors, 27 peer leaders, and five volunteers.
