First ever - Siouxland Aviation Festival a Success

Northwest Iowa Region of the Governor’s Stem Advisory Council is hosted an Aviation Festival at the Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation and 185th Air National Guard Refueling Wing on November 9, 2023, in Sioux City. 

Over 200 students from 19 different schools attended. The event was developed for students in grades 6-12. 

 
Festival Showcase
 
The festival gave students the opportunity to explore STEM careers and opportunities in aviation specifically in the Siouxland area. 
 
Presenters offered hands-on STEM activities for students to engage in and explore.  Activities and learnings were real-world of work skills present in the presenters’ careers. 
 
At the 18th Air Refueling Wing, attendees experienced the Boom Simulator, manipulated a lifelike patient simulator, helped with vehicle stabilization and extraction demonstration, toured the KC135 refueling aircraft, and toured their new operations headquarters.
 
At the air museum, attendees learned about avionics and flight training from REVV Aviation and Iowa Lakes Community College, hydraulics and the United 232 tragedy, aviation maintenance featuring museum engine exhibits, and complete a SuperCub preflight, and work with Morningside University aviation director on propulsion and a rocket launcher.
 
We are proud of this event and look forward to working with Mary Trent, NW STEM Regional Manager, [email protected] on another event in the Spring.

Students, teachers, and bus drivers were gifted a STEM backpack with area gifts including Palmer Candy Twin Bing, Jolly Time popcorn, SUX post cards, stickers, pens, and key chains from the teacher's organizations.