CHICAGO — AeroStar Avion Institute has been awarded a grant from the Foot Locker Foundation Community Engagement Program to support “Foot to Flight,” a campaign that will provide up to 125 Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) youth, ages 13-20, with aviation and aerospace STEM education and training free of charge.
“For the past 14 years, AeroStar has provided equitable access for underserved youth in Chicago to learn the history and importance of the aerospace industry, African American and minority contributions to the industry, and the impact of aviation on their lives now and into the future,” said Tammera L. Holmes, AeroStar’s founder/CEO.
AeroStar provides in-person classes at Olive-Harvey Community College and virtually on The AeroVerse E-Learning Academy, an online learning platform.
Some of the opportunities available to the kids include:
- Operating flight simulators, remote controlled helicopters, drones, RC airplanes, and VR headsets.
- Building model airplanes and launching rockets.
- Studying and demonstrating knowledge of flight theory, space travel, airport operations, and STEM careers.
Students also will have the opportunity for job shadows, internships, skill development, and entry-level jobs. Some students will be able to earn their private pilot’s certificate, drone certificate, or work experience through AeroStar’s partnering organizations, such as The Boeing Company, United Airlines, and Milhouse Charities.
For more information about the program, go to AvionInstitute.org.
What a fantastic idea, it’s the only way these kids are ever going to see aviation and what it’s like to fly !