Heart of Aviation Explorer – a mobile exhibition bus brings aviation and its careers to schools and the community.
With the growth of the Singapore aviation industry and many infrastructure projects underway, a sustainable pipeline of aviation professionals is needed to support this growth. A key aspect is the promotion of aviation and its jobs and careers and for this, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is rolling out a special campaign this year. Reaching out particularly to students from secondary to tertiary levels, the year-long campaign with broader and deeper outreach efforts aims to provide a better appreciation of Singapore aviation and ignite the youth’s interest in the wide range of careers in aviation.
Kicking off the year-long campaign, Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Transport, launched the Heart of Aviation Explorer at Hillgrove Secondary School. A mobile exhibition bus, the Heart of Aviation Explorer is a modified 45-seater bus with static displays and interactive stations. In four feature sections, the exhibition showcases the multi-faceted Singapore aviation sector, aviation’s role in the building of Singapore as a nation, and future developments at Changi Airport and the wider Singapore aviation industry. The sections are:
a. Singapore Aviation: This section traces the rich history of Singapore aviation and its contribution to Singapore’s nation building journey.
b. Aviation behind the scenes: Students will get glimpses into the inner workings of the airport, airlines, air cargo and logistics sector, and aerospace sector, with the jobs and careers available. c. Science and technology in aviation: Students can discover the applications of science and technology in aviation, including how science has influenced the design of aircraft.
d. Future of Singapore Aviation: Students will learn about the exciting new developments that will shape Singapore aviation into the future.
Hillgrove Secondary School has been specially selected as the launch venue. Since 2012, CAAS has collaborated with Hillgrove Secondary School to deepen its aviation activities under its Basic Flight and Aviation programme within the Design and Technology curriculum including the design and set up of dedicated aviation displays in the school. Hillgrove has a Flight and Aerospace Applied Learning Programme, which aims to raise students’ understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through the field of aerospace and at the same time nurture them towards being future aviation professionals.
From Hillgrove Secondary School, the Heart of Aviation Explorer will travel to about 30 schools over the year with a one-week stop at each school. The bus will also go to community spaces and events to bring Singapore aviation to the wider public.
Complementing the Heart of Aviation Explorer bus, an Aviation Resource Kit has been distributed to 184 Secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes in January 2015. The kit includes resources for teachers to use as part of selected curriculum to enhance students’ learning experience with real world applications focused on aviation. Other activities lined up for the year-long campaign include a series of aviation-themed roadshows in June. CAAS’ flagship aviation education and careers event, the Aviation Open House, will also be held for the fourth time from 13-15 August at the Suntec City Convention Centre.
Photo caption 1: Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport presented the Aviation in Schools Initiative award to Mr Kenneth Lee, Principal of Hillgrove Secondary School with students from Air Scouts, National Cadet Corps (Air) and Singapore Youth Flying Club co-curricular activities groups
Photo caption 2: Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore presenting the Aviation Resource Kit to Mr Kenneth Lee, Principal of Hillgrove Secondary School
Photo caption 3: Launch of Heart of Aviation Explorer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport
Photo caption 4: Tour of Heart of Aviation Explorer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport
Photo caption 5: Exterior view of Heart of Aviation Explorer
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
