I’ve watched firsthand as Southwest Airlines has stepped up to the plate this past week as the southern part of Texas was devastated from Hurricane Harvey. With humanitarian flights to get stranded airport passengers out of Houston and relocate orphaned dogs and cats, to supply flights delivering items like rubber boots, Southwest Airlines has shown that much more than just a headquarters address is in Texas, their heart is as well.

Truth be told, Southwest does so much for the community that extends beyond times of crisis. One example is something that has been in the planning stages for quite a while and will be taking place this weekend…Southwest Airlines Aviation Day!

On Saturday, September 9th, over 200 elementary-age and middle school-age students will head to Southwest’s TOPS facility to kick off Southwest Airlines Aviation Day. These local students, in 3rd grade through 8th grade, will be exposed to careers in aviation through a variety of hands-on activities. Best of all, it’s at no cost to the kids.

The students will hear from Pilots, Flight Attendants, and Air Traffic Controllers from the industry as well as tour the maintenance hangar, something most adults would LOVE to do. The students will also participate in a foam plate glider activity where they will learn the basics of aerodynamics.

I’m excited about this on so many levels. Yes, my daughter will be one of the 200 kids to experience this incredible event. She’ll be exposed to careers that she may never have heard of. She’ll be engaging in activities that will be STEM related. This is exactly what our kids need – EXPOSURE. Who knows where their dreams might lead them one day, but if we expose them early to different ideas, different concepts, different career paths, it can only help their future.

Added Benefit: Girl and Boy Scouts in attendance will have the opportunity to fulfill most of the requirements toward earning their aviation merit badge.

I know I would have loved this when I was in school.

Though applications are now closed, if Aviation Day is a huge success, I imagine this just might be the beginning of something big!

Be sure to follow Campus Reach on Facebook and of course Southwest Airlines on Instagram and Twitter for news on any upcoming programs, community opportunities and more.

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