Written By Drew Underwood | Executive Director, DreamFlight Charities
One of the most prolific learning experiences I have ever had took place in one of my undergraduate courses at Campbellsville University, where I majored in educational ministries. One by one, we were encouraged to pick a slip of paper from three baskets to determine a topic we were to teach on, the specific age group the lesson was to be designed for, and the methodology or learning style to be used to facilitate the experience.
My assignment ended up being fairly simple – I was to discuss the marriage supper of the Lamb with senior adults, utilizing the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell). I prepared a small spread that was to be indicative of a more elaborate wedding feast, with the aroma of a prepared meal filling the room as participants were invited to prepare a plate. The entire activity was meant to be a bit unorthodox and encouraged us to think outside of the box and exercise our creativity.
The assignment took an interesting turn for one of my fellow classmates, however. As he pulled from the various baskets, he drew a kindergarten classroom for his audience, a story or illustration as his teaching tool, but martyrdom as the subject matter for the lesson! While everyone in the classroom was on edge to develop their own unique lesson plan, we were all looking forward to this particular presentation.
Now would probably be a good time to mention that, as a person presented their lesson, the rest of the class was encouraged to act like the age group selected. As time came for the forementioned student to teach, we assumed the role of vulnerable five-year-olds, complete with runny noses and emergency bathroom breaks. While we sympathized with the challenge of his assignment, we certainly did not cut him a break.
But to be honest, he knocked it out of the park. He was a good head taller than me, a large, looming figure for sure had he been in an actual kindergarten class, but he lowered and seated himself in the floor with the rest of the group, putting himself on our level. Then, using Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree, he proceeded to talk about the capacity for some to give of themselves without expecting anything in return – to sacrifice and give of themselves in a way reminiscent of how Christ gave His life for His Church. The lesson was free of bloody and gory accounts and was amazingly appropriate and insightful, even for the actual adults participating in the lesson.
I share that story intentionally, because I believe it is indicative of what happens here at DreamFlight Charities. We know our audience: school-aged children and youth. We know our methodology or teaching tool to be employed: aviation. But what we have learned over time is that we are able to address a multitude of circumstances through the wonders of flight. Obviously, we want to enable and remove barriers for students who have an interest in our state’s growing aviation industry, but we have seen firsthand the transformative power that aviation can have in almost every area of life.
Encouraging Students to Dream Big
Aviation is a great tool for expanding horizons and creating aspirations. I remember my first well, particularly the conflicting feeling of how large our world truly is, but how small and interconnected it can be, all at the same time. The world of flight represents the freedom to dream big and encourages students to explore beyond their immediate and familiar community. As any pilot will tell you, aviation fosters an amazing community filled with individuals from all walks of life. Rather than living in the echo chamber of social media, students can have their minds opened to possibilities they may have never imagined, including careers as pilots, engineers, aircraft mechanics, or air traffic controllers.
Developing Essential Life Skills
Aviation is also a wonderful way to ignite a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, combining numerous disciplines that students already enjoy and are engaged in. Whether uncovering the physics behind a perfect landing or 3D-printing and testing drone components, participants will inevitably develop skills that are essential to success in almost any career field.
This includes critical thinking – questioning assumptions, analyzing data, and developing solutions. In the world of aviation, it’s called Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM). Any aspiring pilot must develop a systematic process to evaluate given circumstances at any point in flight, determining the best course of action to ensure safety and the best possible outcome. From a thorough preflight to mitigating potential risks by avoiding adverse weather, recognizing aircraft performance issues, and other factors – aviation-related STEM education can help students develop an ability to think critically that will extend far beyond the cockpit.
But that is just one example – aviation-related STEM programming can also help develop resiliency among students, encouraging them to embrace failure and learn from their mistakes, moving on to even greater solutions. At the same time, hands-on learning experiences within the classroom encourage innovation and collaboration, among other qualities that drastically change the way students learn and think. The possibilities and potential are endless, and aviation serves as a fantastic platform to instill various traits and life skills.
Breathing New Life into General Aviation
There has been a lot of discussion and debate as to whether general aviation is showing signs of a decline or is at the beginning of a renaissance. While this last point is a bit more self-serving, removing barriers to and promoting the endless possibilities within Kentucky’s aviation industry is sure to protect and preserve something we love.
In thinking of my own children, I am constantly amazed by their ability to adapt and adjust quickly. Big moves, life events, and numerous other factors that would stop me in my tracks seem to phase them very little. Certainly, there have been major advancements in the field of aviation, even within the last decade. Igniting a passion for aviation and being willing to pass the torch to the next generation of aviators is sure to promote greater opportunities for growth and innovation, keeping our gaze to the skies for generation to come.