Programs

Our programs exemplify the approach of providing peer recognition and gender respect, while promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills in applied science applications that are both stimulating and fun. The broader mission objective is to inspire and encourage young people, while engaging them in aviation-related enterprises.

In 2022, The BettyFlies Foundation awarded three aviation scholarships from a field of twelve worthy applicants from the Roaring Fork Valley.

In 2019, The BettyFlies community raised $100,000 in matching funds to support Aspen Flight Academy’s innovative “Every Student Flies” initiative at the Aspen High School.

In addition, our generous donors contributed $60,000 to support five aviation scholarships for Aspen High School students in 2019-2020.

The Basalt High School Aerospace Club

The Basalt High School Aerospace Club was founded in the 2019-2020 academic year by Isaac Musselman, a rising senior. Musselman, the current leader of the Club, aspires to become an astronaut.

The BHS Aerospace Club strives to make the exciting world of aviation, rocketry, and outer space accessible to all interested minds at the Basalt High School. Musselman considers hands-on aeronautics and space education as a crucial aspect of our society as humanity prepares to journey deeper into the cosmos. 

During its first year, the BHS Aerospace Club attended the Vail Symposium to meet astronauts, launched small supersonic rockets at Spring Gulch, built a rocket-propelled remote-controlled glider, and hosted an astronomy night at the Basalt Regional Library. In February 2020 Isaac applied for a BettyFlies Foundation grant on behalf of the Basalt High School Aerospace Club.

The BHS Aerospace Club's Mission Statement is:
To make the exciting world of aviation, rocketry, space, and beyond accessible to all interested minds of the Roaring Fork Valley.

General Club Overview:
Thanks to an initial one-time grant of $1,500 from the 5Point Film Festival, the BHS Aerospace Club was officially launched in the Fall of 2019. There are currently ten members with interest growing. The Aerospace Club currently meets every other Wednesday after school.

Reflecting upon the success of our first year, members have enjoyed the diversity of projects and experiences, and are always bringing new ideas to the group. Not only has everyone learned new skills, but unlikely friendships have been formed across grades and social groups. 

PROJECTS AND YEARLY EVENTS OVERVIEW:

2021 - 2022

Update From Connor Hoffman, President of the BHS Aerospace Club - May, 2022
”As Isaac is now a cadet at the Air Force Academy, I have taken over as President of the club. This past semester, we built individual rockets again and then launched some of them at spring gulch. Not all of the motors had success, however, and after talking with a representative from the company we know what we need to do to fix them for our next launch, which we plan to do sometime in the next few weeks. For our main project this semester, we are looking into a weather balloon with a self-return system, meaning we wouldn't have to worry about retrieval as it would automatically come back to us.”

Here is a link to a shared album with all of the pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ia8x42eMRbqB4jXG8.

2019-2020

• Semester 1 (Fall 2019)
  Rocket Kits – Each student built a 24” Apogee Aspire Rocket. The rockets broke the sound barrier and ascended over 1 mile high!

• Semester 2 (Spring 2020)
  Students were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 built an Apogee Aerodactyl Two-Stage Rocket. Group 2 built a rocket-propelled R/C glider.

• One book discussion per year
  The Future of Humanity, by modern physicist and futurist Michio Kaku. This Club will discuss how technology must progress alongside an understanding of the ethical problems that arise whenever science develops.

• Field trip to Vail Symposium – “Convening Locally, Thinking Globally”
  “To Infinity and Beyond,” panel discussion with former NASA astronauts and Chief Space Shuttle Engineer and ISS Engineer.

• Community Partnership with Basalt Regional Library - Astronomy Night
  Club members hosted a free astronomy night on March 6th, 2020 from 6:30-8pm. The Library has a telescope lending program. 

As you can see by their multi-disciplined approach, the Club addressed the topics of Air and Space in a variety of ways. This approach has enabled them to tap into a diverse body of students. The funds received from The BettyFlies Foundation to date will go towards project supplies for the 2020-2021 school year. Over ten students directly benefit from this gift. 

The Basalt High School Aerospace Club closely relates to the vision of The BettyFlies Foundation as it strives to inspire young people to explore all facets of flight. In addition, Isaac believes that both The BettyFlies Foundation and the BHS Aerospace Club promote experimentation in STEM projects and activities, while empowering individuals to realize their potential to change the world through hard work and curiosity. Both organizations are seeking ways to actively engage and give back to the Roaring Fork Valley community.

The BHS Aerospace Club thanks The BettyFlies Foundation and all its supporters for their generous contributions towards fostering a greater understanding of the natural world and the technologies that allow them to explore it.

The 2019-2020 Every Student Flies Program