'Girls in Aviation Day' inspires dreaming, flying high

Some future pilots may have been born during a momentous day to celebrate "Girls in Aviation Day" last weekend, with a huge STEM expo at Mather Airport, hosted by California Capital Airshow. About 500 students from across the region between the ages of 8-18 took part in the event Saturday, Sept. 20, to immerse themselves in the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event was in partnership with Women in Aviation International; the goal of the event is to inspire more females to become involved in the field of STEM. There were a series of events to educate and expose the students to the various opportunities in STEM, including a mentor luncheon featuring nationally recognized women in the field. Attendees also learned about piloting, aerospace engineering, drones, airport operations, air traffic control and more. There were also panel discussions and activity stations, where students learned tangible insights into the growing role STEM careers play in the world. Darcy Brewer, executive director of California Capital Airshow, said this event gives young girls a unique immersive experience into the world of STEM. "Unlike a traditional classroom setting, the expo immerses students in interactive, real-world experiences facilitated by industry professionals," explained Brewer. "From climbing into the cockpit of awe-inspiring aircrafts and drone demonstrations to engineering challenges and career panels, participants were able to see STEM in action and connect directly with women who are thriving in these fields. The combination of hands-on learning and mentorship makes the event a uniquely impactful experience." Girls in Aviation Day is a significant event for the California Capital Airshow (CCA); while the organization is best known for its family-friendly annual shows which honor Sacramento's aviation heritage, Brewer said a primary goal of CCA is to inspire the next generation through scholarships and educational youth programs such as this. "Girls in Aviation Day is central to the California Capital Airshow's mission of inspiring the next generation of leaders in aviation, aerospace and STEM," said Brewer. "By engaging 500 girls ages 8-18 in hands-on activities, mentorship and real-world career exploration, the event breaks down barriers and opens doors to opportunities they may not have considered before. Our goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence and show these students that they have a place in the future of aviation and STEM industries." Brewer said the hope is that some girls walked away with new dreams and inspiration for a future in STEM. In addition to this yearly event, the California Capital Airshow also gives scholarships and charitable group donations to help cultivate involvement of the next generation in the world of aviation.