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United Way of Southwest Alabama / Uncategorized  / Mobile’s Airbus Flying Challenge Disembarks for 2015-2016 School Term

Mobile’s Airbus Flying Challenge Disembarks for 2015-2016 School Term

On Friday, April 8, Airbus Americas Engineering Mobile and United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), in partnership with Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF), the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center (Exploreum), and Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS), held a day-long closing event for the Airbus Flying Challenge, a thirteen-week-long mentoring program funded by the Airbus Foundation that focused on character development and STEM activities for students at Palmer Pillans Middle School.

The closing event included a trip to the Exploreum, where students toured the Da Vinci: Machines & Robotics exhibition and participated in a hands-on workshop of STEM activities, and a guided tour of Airbus Americas Engineering that incorporated a hands-on wind tunnel experience.  The event ended with a certificate ceremony for the students who completed the mentorship program for this school year._DSC0157 edit with logo

More than three quarters of mentored young adults seek to enroll in and graduate from college, according to recent research. Mentored youth are also more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities, often times holding a leadership position. These aspirations and activities translate into higher self-esteem and self-confidence, traits necessary for youth to engage in teamwork and community work, and to be successful in life.

The Airbus Flying Challenge presents the opportunity for Airbus employees to provide career exploration, life skills discussions, educational activities, and academic enrichment to middle school students. The goal is to enhance students’ life options by improving their grades, inspiring them to finish high school, and stimulating their interest in an aviation-related career.

“The Airbus Flying Challenge is a chance for Airbus to further partner with local organizations who are instrumental in helping prepare students for a successful transition into high school,” said David Trent, Airbus Mobile Engineering Site Director. “Airbus shapes the future of air transportation on a daily basis, but through this program, Airbus employees are able to inspire students to better shape their future. The students are able to see that good habits, hard work, and the right attitude today matter for their tomorrow.”

In addition to making children more confident in their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, research has shown that mentoring makes students less likely to skip class or school and less likely to begin using illegal drugs or alcohol.

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“It takes an entire community to make a difference and we have to do our part. Our children deserve a strong start in life,” said Clifford Grimes, UWSWA President and CEO. “Through the Airbus Flying Challenge, we have an opportunity to encourage students and give them the tools necessary to grow up to be healthy, productive adults who can give back and further strengthen our community.”

The Airbus Foundation also sponsors Flying Challenges in Kansas, Spain, and France and the program will soon be rolled out in UK and Germany. The Foundation donated approximately $81,000 in program funding for the Mobile program.

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