Students from Easton High School (EHS) and St. Michaels High School (SMHS) recently traded classrooms for cockpits during a sponsored field trip to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The excursion was made possible through the funding and support of the Easton Airport Aviation Career Education (ACE) Program.
The trip offered Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) Career and Technical Education students a firsthand look at the milestones of flight, from historic aircraft to the cutting edge of space exploration. By engaging with these exhibits, students explored the vast possibilities within the aerospace and aviation industries, bridging the gap between local career opportunities at Easton Airport (ESN) and the global impact of aerospace innovation.
The partnership between ACE and TCPS aligns with the mission of the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to prepare students for today’s workforce. By immersing students in the real-world scale of the aerospace industry, this collaboration ensures that graduates are not just learning about a trade in a vacuum; students are seeing the bigger picture and becoming the strategic thinkers and problem-solvers needed to drive the future of aviation at facilities like Easton Airport.
“The ACE Program starts by showing students that world-class aviation opportunities exist right here in their own backyard at Easton Airport,” said Jeff Lankford, Easton Airport Business Manager. “By supporting a trip straight to the nation’s capital, we aimed to connect the dots and demonstrate that a career in aviation can truly open up a world of possibilities for their future.”
The ACE Program is dedicated to opening doors for local students, providing them with the resources and inspiration needed to pursue roles as pilots, aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, and aviation technicians. This mission is sustained through the commitment of local partners who recognize the importance of a strong aviation workforce.
“We are sincerely grateful to the ACE Program at Easton Airport for their support,” said Danielle Haley, TCPS Career Counselor. “The students truly enjoyed their time at the museum, and opportunities like this help inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.”
Easton Airport extends thanks to all ACE Program sponsors whose commitment ensures that Talbot County students remain at the forefront of aviation and STEM exploration. Their support directly funds this trip and upcoming initiatives, including the 2026 Summer Learning Series hosted in partnership with the Easton Composite Squadron – Civil Air Patrol. Running throughout July at the ACE Hangar, these free sessions for ages 12–16 include hands-on activities ranging from aircraft characteristics to model rocket construction and launching. Visit www.eastonairport.com/ace to learn more and register today.
About Easton Airport – Easton Airport (ESN) is a general aviation airport located two miles north of historic downtown Easton, Maryland in Talbot County. The airport is owned and operated by Talbot County and provides essential access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the Mid-Atlantic region and the national airspace system. The airport’s Aviation Career Education (ACE) Program provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore aerospace careers through specialized training, community partnerships, and educational excursions.