Aviation talk

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buffalopilot

Well-Known Member
I am giving an aviation talk to younger kids say 12 years old next week, any suggestions how to gear the talk to make it fun for them.



pictures, models, what to talk about?
 
buffalopilot said:
I am giving an aviation talk to younger kids say 12 years old next week, any suggestions how to gear the talk to make it fun for them.



pictures, models, what to talk about?
Click to expand...

I have done it with 1,2,3rd graders (cub scouts). I actually did it at the airport, and had a C150 for them to sit in. We talked about signs at the airport (I also had an AOPA video on that) and made paper airplanes. They seemed to enjoy it.
 
I have to do the same thing this weekend with middle school students. I am just going to toss them all copies of flight training magazine. I know atleast one of the kids is going to act up, so I am going to handle that by a pre-emptive punishment of one random kid. I going to pick a kid at random and send him into the cornor of the hanger. Hopefully, this sends a messege to the other kids that I won't tollerate nonsense.

If you guys don't find this funny, then something is wrong. :)
 
Kids love pictures. So if you can, bring something on which you can do a slideshow or a video presentation.

Also, be prepared for a LOT of strange questions. I spent about 10 minutes answering questions about the lavatory!
 
buffalopilot said:
I am giving an aviation talk to younger kids say 12 years old next week, any suggestions how to gear the talk to make it fun for them.



pictures, models, what to talk about?
Click to expand...


Visuals! They like to see stuff, can you project stuff on an overhead or do you have access to a projector? If this talk is scheduled later in the week, I can mail you stuff to hand out to the kiddies?

If you are talking about an airplane, bring in a model of one.....
 
Talk about how you're rich and that chicks dig you because you're an airline pilot.

I would reccomend you tell them to hold questions until the end or you might get lots of 'em during your presentation.
 
I don't know if anyone's ever too young to learn about the evils of PFT, so maybe you could throw that in?:)

(Half-joking).
 
mpenguin1 said:
Visuals! They like to see stuff, can you project stuff on an overhead or do you have access to a projector? If this talk is scheduled later in the week, I can mail you stuff to hand out to the kiddies?

If you are talking about an airplane, bring in a model of one.....
Click to expand...

I teach Elem. School kids. They love anything visual, take one of the C 172 models at the flight school that they use for ground training and show it to them. Picturer even drawings on the board help a lot. I drew an MD 80 on the board pretty good and they all got crazy and psyched up about it.
If you need more pointers just PM me.
 
I'd say definately some paper airplanes and talk to them about how the wings lift using air (you know, the vortex thing is good too).. how the engines are used to propell the plane forward and if you have a map of a cockpit - that's a great visual to describe what all has to be learned to be a pilot. :)

bob.. i like the kid in the corner idea, but you gotta make sure you use a dunce cap with a rotating plane on the top haha (yea, i found it funny)
 
Pictures, models, videos are all good.

Also, for content, maybe talk about all the different ways planes are used, and how the world is different because of planes. Firefighting, cargo, air ambulance, business jets, aerial photography, personal transportation, traffic reports, law enforcement, etc. When I was young I didn't realize how much happens with aviation outside of airlines.
 
It also might be a good idea to tie in the importance of education and why it's important to do well in school. Let them know the types of things their learning every day are the types of things you use when you fly.

For example: Math, give them some simple fuel calculation problems or some simple time/distance problems. See if they can solve the problems. See if you can get your hands on a Social Studies book. Almost every one will have a section on how to read maps. Then show them a sectional or low enroute chart and discuss the importance of map reading skills, which is a part of social studies. You can also talk about reading and writing, then show them the reg about reading and speaking the English language. For those interested in science you could speak about aircraft design, lift, and test pilots.

Just some more ideas for you. Let us know how it went.
 
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