CLEARWATER, Florida — Sheltair welcomed 25 girls from Girls Inc. of Pinellas County for an unforgettable field trip on July 12, 2024, at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (KPIE).
This event, aimed at inspiring the next generation of aviators, provided the girls, ranging from 5th to 10th grade, with a hands-on experience in the aviation industry.
Girls Inc. of Pinellas County is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young girls through its After School Enrichment Program, Summer Camp, and Spring Break Camps.
“Collaborations like the one with Sheltair are crucial in demonstrating to the girls what is possible for them,” explained Amanda Serrano, Director of Curriculum at Girls Inc. “When they can see it, they can dream it, and ultimately, they can be it.”
The field trip kicked off with a tour of Sheltair’s facilities at KPIE, followed by a visit to the Clearwater Airport Fire Rescue Department. Here, the girls got an up-close look at the fire trucks, learned about the daily tasks of the rescue team, and witnessed a demonstration of the water cannons.
Next stop was the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department hangars, where they were introduced to high-tech helicopters.
One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the Air Ambulance hangars, where a pilot invited each girl to sit in the cockpit of a private aircraft, “providing a truly memorable experience,” according to officials.
The day concluded with a motivational session from Mariah Smith, president of Women in Aviation Tampa Bay, who engaged the girls in an aviation trivia game and promoted the upcoming Girls in Aviation Day event in September.
The field trip is part of Sheltair’s efforts to engage with the community and support educational initiatives that encourage young people to explore careers in aviation, according to Lisa Holland, Sheltair president.
“By providing these unique opportunities, Sheltair hopes to inspire and nurture future leaders and innovators in the field,” company officials added.
For more information: SheltairAviation.com, GirlsInc-Pinellas.org
It’s great to see programs like this. So many kids, especially girls, have no idea that aviation is a viable career option. Getting them interested early is key to ensuring the US remains the world leader in aerospace. I just wish we had a coordinated national strategy for programs that introduce kids to aviation versus relying on local efforts.