Wed, Mar 17, 2004
Thomas Wathen Foundation Opens Skies For Children
Flabob Airport became a field trip destination for 118 local
fifth graders in March, as part of a continuing series of Youth
Education Programs set up by the Thomas Wathen
Foundation. Flabob is one of nine regional sites selected for
satellite programs designed by the EAA for attracting young people
to aviation. The Wathen Foundation claims has moved far
beyond the original EAA concept.
About once a month, during the school year fifth and sixth
graders travel to the airport where they spend a day learning about
flight. They are introduced to aviation terminology, basic
aerodynamics and the history of flight. They all participate in
creating and launching miniature hot air balloons and in a paper
airplane contest. At other times, representatives of the airport
visit the schools to provide presentations on aviation.
Dr. Art Peterson, president of the Foundation Air Academy, helps
arrange the field trips and conducts some of the classes.
"This is our way of preserving aviation," said Dr. Peterson.
"The level of enthusiasm for the history of flight program is
incredible. The students are positively spellbound by the events,
the aircraft and the people in the field. It's our hope that
some of them will get hooked on flying through these efforts."
All of the kids who attend the day trip are invited to return to
the airport to take a ride in an aircraft and become a part of
EAA/Flabob's on-going Young Eagles Program.
In addition to the one-day seminars, the Wathen Foundation also
hosts ten 5-day Air Academies; two for high school students and the
rest for middle school students. These events are scheduled
throughout the year with varying times for participation, depending
on school schedules.
For information on the Air Academies planned for this summer
contact Kathy Rohm at (909) 683-2309, extension 104; or email kathyrohm@aol.com.
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