Committee reviews inaugural Aviation Day with elementary students; plans annual third-grade event

Committee members reviewed two recent school outreach events — an April visit by Park Lane first-grade classes and a May 5 visit by third graders — and described them as broadly successful, with roughly 50 students per first-grade session and seven activity stations including a flight simulator.

Committee members credited Janelle and volunteers for organizing the event and noted thank-you cards from students. Jack Gaines, a committee member, called it “a, you know, great opportunity to, you know, engage with the kids, the community,” and members said at least two discovery flights were scheduled as a direct result of the outreach.

Members discussed turning the event into a recurring annual program for incoming third graders, saying third grade aligns better with school lessons on motion and propulsion and would allow students to apply classroom learning to hands-on aviation activities. Committee members suggested picking a date in the fall to permit fuller planning rather than the short lead time the committee experienced this year.

Volunteers and local partners cited in the discussion included a Delta mechanic who volunteered the entire day, members of the school’s work-based learning program (including Olivia Lahr), and students who helped as part of the high school program. Committee members said the high school aviation club has expressed interest in more advanced programming and career mentoring.

No formal motions were recorded to change the committee’s calendar; members directed staff and organizers to consider scheduling the event annually and to explore partnering with the high school aviation club for future, more advanced activities.