Taking STEM to New Heights: Meet First-Time Exhibitor Jason Napier from Vincennes University

Celebrate Science Indiana is thrilled to welcome Jason Napier, Director of Aviation and Chief Flight Instructor at Vincennes University, as a first-time exhibitor at the 2025 festival!

With over 5,000 flight hours and a deep commitment to aviation education, Jason is bringing the world of flight directly to the fairgrounds on October 11. His team will feature hands-on demonstrations designed to spark curiosity about flight principles, pilot careers, and the technology behind aircraft navigation. From future aviators to curious young explorers, attendees will get a firsthand look at how science takes to the skies.

Jason’s journey into aviation began at Vincennes University, where he earned his flight ratings after his academic and athletic career at Utah State University as a Division I basketball player. He now leads one of Indiana’s premier aviation training facilities with program responsibilities for Aviation Flight and Aviation Maintenance, helping students launch careers in commercial aviation flight, flight instruction, Aviation Maintenance and beyond.

“Science isn’t just in a lab—it’s in the sky, the cockpit, and the decisions pilots make every day,” Napier shared. “Celebrate Science Indiana is a chance to show young people how aviation combines physics, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving.”

As a role model and educator, Jason sees Celebrate Science as more than outreach—it’s an invitation to discover pathways many students haven’t yet imagined.

“Whether someone’s dreaming of travel, engineering, or becoming a pilot, aviation touches all of it. We want to help students see what’s possible.”

Vincennes University’s aviation team will offer flight simulations, career information, and plenty of opportunities for questions and exploration.