On April 11, West Star Aviation welcomed 115 second-grade students from Lewis Elementary School for an interactive field trip at its Solon, Ohio facility, highlighting the role of aviation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“Creating awareness about aviation careers at an early age is essential," said Jack DiCello, West Star team member and field trip host. "This kind of community engagement helps build long-term connections between our industry, our customers, and the future leaders of our field.”

The event featured hands-on activities, including a tour of the aircraft maintenance shop, where students observed aircraft components undergoing repair. Through this up-close look, students gained insight into how classroom science and engineering apply to real-world aviation.

Interactive stations included a paper airplane design contest focused on testing and quality assurance, a safety demonstration introducing key aviation procedures, and a LEGO build table promoting creative problem-solving. Students also used M&M candies to explain how data informs aviation operations.

“This was the most educational, informative, and exciting field trip of my 30-plus-year career,” said veteran teacher Randy Davis.

These outreach efforts support early engagement in aerospace careers. According to the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), the industry faces a projected shortfall of more than 30,000 certified mechanics by 2031. Initiatives like Choose Aerospace work with ATEC to address this by partnering with schools and introducing aviation-focused curriculum to younger students.