Women in Aviation International has declared Sept. 26 “Girls in Aviation Day,” when WAI chapters will host a day of aviation-related activities appealing to girls ages 8 to 16 years old.
The one-day event is an offshoot of successful Girls in Aviation Day events held at previous WAI conferences.
Each WAI chapter will be asked to organize its own local event on that day, WAI President Peggy Chabrian said. The national organization will supply chapters with basic materials and ideas, including copies of Aviation for Girls magazine with information on scholarships and aviation colleges and universities.
Nearly 100 chapters have signed on to promote the day, WAI said. The Central Florida Chapter will host its event at Orlando International Airport. Girls will be given an insider’s tour of the airport along with other activities. The Middle Tennessee State University Chapter is combining the event with the Expanding Your Horizons program, whose mission is to inspire girls to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Northern Spirit/Winnipeg Chapter in Canada is hosting an event at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. The chapter plans to create career stations throughout the museum where girls can learn about different aviation careers. The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/Prescott Chapter is creating a program in which participants can tour the school and flight line and experience interactive presentations and activities, such as flying simulators, building model airplanes, and talking to current students.
Stars of the North/Minneapolis Chapter will host an event in conjunction with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program and AirSpace Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that connects young people with role models while engaging them in STEM education experiences. Young Eagles volunteers will provide airplane rides. AirSpace Minnesota will offer use of an aviation learning center in which participants can learn about a traffic pattern and find out more about careers in aviation.
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