By ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas

The Explore Aviation Kit was mentioned at last year's Women in Aviation Conference in Dallas, TX.  This year, the idea is a reality -- with the kit being unveiled here at the Nashville, TN gathering.

Today's young people are needed to fill openings in the aerospace field. Introduction to aviation and aerospace in schools is a start -- but what about outside the schools? That's where Explore Aviation Kits come in.

The Explore Aviation Kit was designed by the Women in Aviation Education committee. According to WAI's Gerri Schultz, the meetings were mostly "virtual" -- using the computer and phone calls to organize the presentation. A sizable donation from the Wal-Mart Foundation helped WAI complete the project.

The kits are being sent to the chapters, who are the front line in community outreach and getting the aviation word out to the community.

The first 200 kits were designed to help complete the Girl Scout Aerospace badge. There are nine criteria, and six of those nine need to be completed to obtain the badge. The kit contains the items needed to complete some of the criteria.

Next up, are plans to expand the kit to include the Boy Scout badge requirements.

FMI: www.wai.org/education