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175 Students Explore Aviation Careers in a Pop-Up Newton Room

18 Nov 2024

FIRST Scandinavia, Boeing, Flemish Education GO!, and UCLL Team Up for STEM Inspiration with a Newton Room.

 

From November 12 to 22, the Newton Room at Aviato Academy’s Aviation Talent Hub at Brussels Airport hosted an Pop-Up Newton Room that allowed 175 students, aged 14-16, to explore aviation careers.

 

For more information, read the whole press release here

 

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Photo credit: FIRST Scandinavia

 

This event, a collaboration between FIRST Scandinavia, Boeing, Flemish community education GO!, and University College Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), introduced young minds to the thrilling world of aviation through hands-on activities and immersive experiences.

 

Bringing STEM to Life
Students participated in "Up in the Air with Numbers," a five-hour module combining navigation, flight planning, and simulator missions. The program emphasized teamwork, problem-solving, and mathematical skills, mirroring real-world aviation challenges.

 

Per-Arild Konradsen, CEO and founder of FIRST Scandinavia, expressed enthusiasm for returning to Brussels. "This pop-up Newton Room, hosted at Aviato, demonstrates our innovative approach to making STEM education exciting and accessible. We’re proud to partner with Boeing and Aviato to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals," he said.

 

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In October a team from FIRST Scandinavia trained students from University College Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), Hogeschool UCLL, preparing them to become Newton Teachers for the Newton module, Up in the Air with Numbers. Photo credit: Nathalie De Houwer/Aviato

 

Local Education
The Pop-Up Newton Room provided UCLL student interns with a unique opportunity to engage with STEM teaching in an international setting. Following a week of specialized training, these future educators helped deliver the Newton Room experience to students. 

 

Liam Benham, Boeing’s President for EU, NATO, and Government Affairs, highlighted the collaboration's importance: "We aim to ignite students’ curiosity about STEM and aviation careers, creating pathways for a future-ready workforce."

 

A Model for STEM Success
Since 2003, the Newton Concept has given over 430,000 children worldwide practical STEM learning experiences. This initiative in Belgium builds on that legacy, showcasing the versatility and impact of portable Newton Rooms.

The event concluded on a high note, with students departing inspired to consider STEM-related education and careers, particularly in aviation—a field that demands innovative thinkers and skilled professionals.

 

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Photo credit: Nathalie De Houwer/Aviato