FLY WOMEN - Flying Together

Orlando Science Center Ignites an Interest in STEM Among Young Girls

Only seven percent of pilots (1) and 24 percent of all STEM professionals in the U.S. (2) are women. Last summer, the JetBlue Foundation provided need-based sponsorships for girls from Title I middle schools and high schools to participate in the Orlando Science Center’s Aviation Adventures camp and ignite an interest in aviation in the hopes that they pursue STEM and aviation-related opportunities in both their education and careers.

As part of the camp, Aviation Adventures campers reported to JetBlue’s state-of-the-art training facility and campus in Orlando to learn about JetBlue’s award-winning customer service, which included training in hospitality, safety and flight operations training. The weeklong camp incorporated the Orlando Science Center’s new Flight Lab exhibit, which uses Oculus Rift virtual-reality headsets that put campers in the cockpit, providing hands-on learning simulations replicating the same training pilots receive.

Throughout the year, the JetBlue Foundation and the Orlando Science Center collaborated to introduce Orlando based youth to the benefits of studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as it relates to the aviation industry. In addition to supporting the Aviation Adventures camp, more than 40 JetBlue crewmembers volunteered and provided hands-on learning experiences at the Orlando Science Center to support STEM programming. The Orlando Science Center supported JetBlue’sFly Like a Girlevent at the airline’s Orlando hangar by engaging 80 girls in an interactive Wind turbine activity.

(1) Women in Aviation International
(2) Department of Commerce