Make wishtv.com your home page

HSE Black Hawk lesson provides inspiration beyond the classroom

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) – A Black Hawk engineering lesson has given one Hamilton Southeastern Schools teacher more than a hands-on experience.

For the past three years, Riverside Junior High School has welcomed a helicopter onto its grounds.

“It’s awesome,” student AJ Dalerio said. “That’s so cool.”

On Tuesday, the Indiana National Guard Black Hawk returned.

“I’ve never seen a U.S. helicopter before land directly on the football field,” Dalerio.

Once there, students got even closer.

“It’s so big, and there’s so much stuff in here that I could play with,” student Amannda Coles said.

There’s a lesson behind having a helicopter land. The students will take what they learn in the classroom by building rubber band airplanes.

“The students are able to address the issues of lift and drag, and how those forces act upon their aircraft,” Riverside Junior High School teacher Bradley Bill said.

Bill is behind the lesson. It’s an assignment that has had more inspiration than he ever imagined.

“It further fanned the flame for me to make the decision to join and to serve,” Bill said.

This summer, he enlisted in the Indiana National Guard. Actions which made Tuesday’s assignment more powerful.

“As I stood and I watched it land, I don’t want to say it meant more to me, it was just a different sense of appreciation now knowing that I am part of this team,” Bill said.

The engineering task has taken both teachers and students to new heights.

“It makes me want to join the army,” student Raegan Wolfgang said. “I was thinking about it, but, like, it’s like reality and it’s so cool.”