In 450 BC, Confucius said, Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.

Since the World Hovercraft Organization's DiscoverHover program was launched in late 2003, thousands of students across the world have been awarded an educational experience that transcends mere telling and showing. With the DiscoverHover program, they are now actively and eagerly involved in their own education.

The DiscoverHover web site provides hovercraft plans and instructions, Curriculum Guides and comprehensive resources at no charge to schools and universities, youth organizations, instructors, and students age 7 to 21 anywhere in the world.

The value of the DiscoverHover program is best exemplified in the praise it receives from participating instructors and students:

Wantirna College DiscoverHover One hovercraft

Wantirna College in Victoria, Australia was the first Australian School to build the DiscoverHover One hovercraft. Secondary instructor Robert Forbes says the project was so successful that the school is, "beginning construction on our second hovercraft using the DiscoverHover One plans – because they work!"

He continues, "The project has been a great experience, with very positive feedback from parents, students and staff. One long-serving staff member says this is the best project he has seen at the school in his 22 years. And the 14 students in the Technology Club have seen their ranks swell to more than 40 students."

Tom Burridge, year 11 student at Wantirna College and Team Leader for the school's second hovercraft, echoes this enthusiasm: "This experience has been very valuable to my education. To be honest, school hadn't really interested me until the start of year 10, but building the DiscoverHover One gave my interest for school a real boost. The DiscoverHover project has been by far the highlight of my time at secondary school. I have never had so much fun!"

Cary-Grove High School hovercraft project

In Ellicott City, Maryland USA, Technology Education instructor Robert Hodge and his 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Ellicott Mills Middle School are building their first DiscoverHover One. Hodge writes, "I've been teaching for 30 years and I cannot remember this level of excitement in any other project I've done with students. It brings to life the math and science they're learning in their other classes, and it excites them about education."

Mike Naughton, Industrial Technology Department Chair at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois USA reports, "One of the most valuable aspects of the project is the excitement of the students. Our enrollment went up this year, and I think this has played a part in that." His student, Jake Rands, a junior at Cary-Grove, says, "It's the most fun I've ever had in school!"

Naughton's former student Ryan Marsel, now in his first year at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida USA, reflects, "Building the hovercraft last year at Cary-Grove was an unforgettable experience. It gave me opportunities that many students couldn't dream of, and helped me to enroll in the number one Aerospace Engineering school in the world."

Armstrong Atlantic State University hovercraft team

Dr. Cameron Coates, Assistant Professor of Engineering Studies at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia USA believes the most valuable aspect of the program is that it gives students, "experience with the practical aspects … money, budgeting, choosing the right component – the things you don't get in school."

Such enthusiasm is contagious. It breathes new life into the World Hovercraft Organization's commitment to give schools and student organizations worldwide the profound educational adventure of building a hovercraft, learning to fly it, and racing it in worldwide competitions.

With the DiscoverHover program, however, what you now see is not all you get! Our commitment includes an expansion of the following areas in the days ahead:

* International DiscoverHover events
Plans are underway to give students the opportunity to showcase their hovercraft at national and international competitive events. US cities who are interested in hosting events (in addition to Terre Haute, Indiana, the home of the World Hovercraft Organization) are Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. Globally, we are in discussions with several nations, including Thailand, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom are eager to bring hovercraft endurance racing events to their countries.

* Sponsorship funds
Shipping hovercraft overseas is quite expensive and would prohibit most schools from participating in international events. To help diminish this obstacle, DiscoverHover has launched an extensive sponsorship effort which, when complete, will offset a significant portion of this expense for member schools.

* New communication channels for members
The most valuable source of advice for schools building the DiscoverHover One hovercraft comes from other member schools, so we are developing new channels for DiscoverHover participants to interact with one another. Currently, the ideal place for member interaction is the DiscoverHover Forum, where posts will open a discussion with the entire worldwide DiscoverHover membership as well as with program officials.

* Additional DiscoverHover web site materials
Watch for new Curriculum Guides, a vastly expanded Vocabulary List, and more, beginning in June 2005.

As the DiscoverHover International School Hovercraft Program continues to mature, we invite you to partner with the World Hovercraft Organization in developing this truly unique educational opportunity:

Register Now: Hovercraft as a Teaching Tool

In conjunction with the 2005 US National Rally, The Hoverclub of America will host a symposium dedicated to the integration of hovercraft into today's high school and college curriculum. Hovercraft as a Teaching Tool will take place on 24 June 2005 at the Chillicothe Campus of Ohio State University in Chillicothe, Ohio.

A broad range of speakers – to include DiscoverHover Chairman Chris Fitzgerald - will present topics including school hovercraft programs, hovercraft designs and applications, construction requirements, and the outcomes of specific school hovercraft projects.

The US National Rally draws top racers and designers from throughout America and abroad. Come spend the weekend, tour the pits, talk to the people in the hovercraft industry, and watch hovercraft championship racing Saturday and Sunday 25-26 June. This is the best opportunity available in the US to learn what hovercrafting is all about!

The cost of attendance is only $18 for adults and $12 for students, which includes a casual lunch on Friday and a complimentary pit pass. Door prizes will be awarded and hovercraft will be available onsite for up-close inspection.

Advance registration for Hovercraft as a Teaching Tool is highly encouraged as seating will be limited. To pre-register, email the following information to L. Bondurant at LPB3@mindspring.com, or FAX it to 770-642-8814:

Prepayment is not necessary, but be sure to pre-register soon and check in for the seminar on 24 June before 11:30 a.m. to assure the availability of seating and lunch.