Minnesota's Celebration of Global Girls in Aviation Day

Stars of the North, the Minnesota chapter of the global organization Women in Aviation, is joining forces with AirSpace Minnesota to participate in Global Girl's Aviation Day in a very big way.

"We've been told that will have the largest celebration gathering of all the participating chapters in the whole world," said Stars of the North President, Jenny Nietfeld.

September 26, 1,000 participants are expected at this event for girls ages 10 to 17 at the Downtown St. Paul Airport for an experience that may well guide their life's path.

"The hangar will be set up for the girls to do a walk-through aviation experience about careers, education programs, and opportunities," said Nietfeld. "Each girl will get a logbook to take on her journey."

The log book will help girls keep track of special guests they will meet, talk with, and with whom they may have an opportunity for a photograph.

"Dr. Sandy Magnus, an astronaut, will be our keynote speaker," said Nietfeld. "We also have Solar System Ambassadors from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California who are bringing a robotic model they made based on the design of the Sojourner Mars Rover. The JPL is managed by the California Institute of Technology for NASA.

"There will also be role models from every aviation industry including pilots, controllers, mechanics, engineers, flight instructors, and aero health. Everybody's going to be there! It's pretty incredible!"

Excitement for the event is shared equally by both participating organizations.

"We are thrilled to be part of this exciting opportunity to bring the inspiration of flight to girls," said AirSpace Minnesota President Kristi Rollag Wangstad. "This allows us to connect with students, parents and teachers, to share the value and excitement of aviation while illuminating the myriad opportunities in aviation and aerospace. It also introduces people to the value of having a dedicated education site that serves our entire aviation community.

"This aligns perfectly with our work to grow a pathway of experiences that takes students from elementary school through high school, positioning them for meaningful post-secondary STEM study and work."

"At the end of the journey participants will be able to put on a pilot hat and get some wings," said Nietfeld. "Then they'll get their picture taken with a backdrop of an airplane in the background. We are also working with Young Eagles to provide free airplane rides. We are all looking forward to this really exciting celebration!"

Boys need not fear being turned away from the gathering.

"Our goal is to help young ladies understand what's out there in aviation," said Nietfeld, "but we are certainly not going to turn a boy away from the event."

The event is free but registration is required. Morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) sessions are offered.

Register online at http://www.airspacemn.org