By SALINA POST
The Kansas State University Aerospace and Technology Campus Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI) will host its seventh annual Girls in Aviation Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at K-State Salina's Maintenance Hangar, 2435 Hein Avenue in Salina.
The free program for youth ages 8 to 18, and their parents, is designed to introduce them to all the possibilities available with a career in aviation.
K-State Salina alumni Shanna Walker, STEM Coordinator for the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems department at K-State Salina said is looking forward to this year's event and sharing aviation opportunties with young people.
"I just fell in love with flying and being up in the sky. There's just nothing like it," Walker said. "Aviation is a really fun industry as well as an industry where you can be successful and make money to provide for yourself, while still having a lot of fun."
One change in the schedule for this year's Girls in Aviation event is the decision to not have a formal panel discussion with those in the aviation field.
"We found that our younger event attendees weren't as engaged and got bored with lengthy panel discussions so we are focussing on hands-on activities for this year's event," Walker said.
During the event, youth will get to connect with others who are excited about aviation, explore the opportunities for work and play in aviation and aerospace, and meet women in various fields of aviation.
"I was the first person in my family to go to college. I'm in aviation, and I went to school to be a pilot but I just switched and I didn't even know how many opportunties there were with UAS," Walker said. "You know, there are so many different drones and new opportunities and technology coming out every day. Working in the flight department, I just learned so much, and I think anyone could make a good career out of aviation."
Although the event is free, attendees must register before Friday, Sept. 22. You can register for the event here.
Event organizers encourage attendees who have attended the event in previous years to wear their Girls in Aviation Day shirt!
Event Schedule
9:30 a.m. | Check-in
10 a.m. | Welcome
10:15 a.m. | Aviation workshops
12:20 p.m. | Lunch
12:40 p.m. | Build your own airport activity
1:40 p.m. | Closing announcements
Lunch will be served. All guests will receive a drawstring bag with Girls in Aviation Day memorabilia and a Girls in Aviation Day t-shirt!
Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of their stay at the Aviation Center.
Questions? Please contact Shanna Walker, at 785-438-5615 or [email protected].