Hello Junior ACES Friends!

GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY - SEPTEMBER 21ST

According to Pilot Institute, in 2022 women made up 9.6% of the total pilot population. To break this percentage down even more: females made up 8.5% of commercial pilots and just 4.9% of airline pilots. Women account for only 2.7% of airplane mechanics. The good news? This number is rising every year! But, we still have work to do to show girls that aviation is an exciting job field open to them.

That is why the Aerospace Center for Excellence is proud to partner with our local Women In Aviation - Lakeland Chapter to host the 2024 Girls in Aviation Day! 

This is a FREE event, and participants will be able to explore the Florida Air Museum, participate in hands-on STEM activities in our Skylab Innovation Center, and network with our local aviation business community. Content is geared for girls, ages 10-17, but all are welcome!



So, help us spread the word that GIRLS CAN FLY!

Events

STORYTIME

We are blasting off into space and checking out the solar system during StoryTime this month. Join us as we orbit into fun through stories, singing, and dancing. We meet every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Florida Air Museum.

Special Note: Tuesday, September 17^th, will be a “Special Edition StoryTime.” We will be meeting in our NOAA Science on a Sphere Laboratory to explore the planets.

STEM SPROUTS: PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT

CLASS IS OPEN!

This parent participation class is designed for children aged 3-5. Each week students and parents will explore a STEM concept using engaging, hands-on, skill-based learning centered around play.

Classes will be held Monday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Each week will have a unique theme and will be limited to 15 students using an online registration system. There will be a class fee of $10 per student, with a 50% discount given to Florida Air Museum members. Admission to the Florida Air Museum and Destination: Aviation Playground are included in the class fee. Registration will open in early August.

LIFTING LITERACY - OCTOBER 5TH

Join the Aerospace Center for Excellence in partnership with the YMCA of West Central Florida to come and explore the world of reading and fairy tales through the magical lens of STEM. This program is designed for families with children ages VPK-5^th grade and was created to inspire and support struggling readers.

Attendees will enjoy breakfast while hearing about the New Worlds Reading Program. Following breakfast, children will explore some of the most beloved fairy tale stories by enacting how they would rescue the characters from disaster using creative, STEM solutions. Each child will leave with a FREE book and a full imagination! Attendance is FREE; seats are limited.

POLAR EXPRESS: AIR MAIL EDITION - DECEMBER 13TH AND 14TH

Mark your calendars for Polar Express: Air Mail Edition. This is a holiday event for the whole family! Begin the evening with a reading of the classic children’s story “Polar Express” then board our Boeing 727 for a “flight” to deliver your personal letter to Santa at the North Pole. Once you’ve “landed”, enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies while watching Santa circle the globe in our Science on a Sphere laboratory.

In the event of inclement weather, the "flight" will be canceled, but Santa will use his Christmas magic to visit with you in the Florida Air Museum.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

September 21^st - Girls in Aviation Day

October 5^th - Lifting Literacy Event

October 12^th - Flightoberfest & Wings 'n Waffles: Buehler Build Edition

November 9^th - Wings ‘n Things

November 18^th - StoryTime Under the Stars

December 13^th – 14^th - Polar Express: Air Mail Edition

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