First Students Sign Up for EAA’s AeroEducate
By Erin Henze
July 28, 2021 – On Tuesday, EAA hosted the first ever AeroEducate event at the Blue Barn, located across from the forums on Knapp Street. EAA released the beta version of AeroEducate at the beginning of AirVenture, which chapters can now sign up for.
The AeroEducate program is an endeavor to encourage aviation interest in youths after a Young Eagles ride.
“One of the common questions that we get from our chapters when they host a Young Eagles rally is, ‘How do we get kids back to the airport or chapter to engage in more activity?’” said John Egan, EAA senior manager for chapters and Young Eagles. “The program … is a curriculum with both classroom-style content and hands-on-style content. It’s a turnkey program for chapters to host a day camp for kids.”
Tuesday’s event consisted of one hour of classroom-style content, where the participants learned about pilotage navigation and sectional charts, and one hour of hands-on content, in which the participants worked on the electrical wiring on a model airplane.
Lauren Sweeny, one of the participants in the AeroEducate event, thought the event was “cool.” Lauren gained interest in aviation around the age of 8, following in her family’s footsteps. “My dad and my sister both went into [aviation],” Lauren said, “so I kind of followed.”
Unfortunately, not all youths have the advantage of having family members interested in aviation. AeroEducate is a way for young people to learn more about the large world of aviation.
“Through AeroEducate, we will provide pathways for kids to get involved in aviation,” John said. “We’re hoping to create a lifetime of an aviation mindset for the youth.”
More information about AeroEducate can be found at the Blue Barn or online on EAA’s website.
