A Field Trip to the Airport to See Physics in Action

It’s Physics Week at the Project Scientist Summer Academy Camp and 75 students— all girls, ages 4 to 12—are going to see a real-world example of physics in action: with JetBlue at Long Beach Airport in Southern California. While the JetBlue plane will remain stationary, the girls will see first-hand what it takes to fly from point A to point B, at 35,000 feet.

From the ticket counter, to the baggage area, to aircraft maintenance, the campers toured JetBlue’s operation and met with crewmembers from all areas of the airline. During one part of the tour, the girls were even able to take an up-close look at a JetBlue Airbus 320 aircraft. As the girls boarded the aircraft they looked in awe at the many knobs and levers. They asked questions like, “How many buttons are on a JetBlue airplane?” or “How many bags fit into the belly of an aircraft?” Crewmembers from JetBlue explained exactly what goes into making each flight possible as the girls listened with intrigue.
The JetBlue experience was one of several “STEM expeditions” organized by Project Scientist, a 2016 JetBlue Foundation grant recipient. Through its engaging, hands-on curriculum and partnerships with top companies and universities, Project Scientist empowers girls who show passion and talent for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Busch Jones, a Talent Manager at JetBlue who also serves on the JetBlue Foundation Board of Directors, said, “Our mission at JetBlue is to Inspire Humanity – and we are looking to do just that with every grant we give through the Foundation. Specifically, the JetBlue Foundation is providing opportunities for underserved groups and communities to explore STEM and aviation programs. We want to place aviation on the map as a career choice for all students – no matter their gender, upbringing or color of their skin.”

In supporting Project Scientist, the JetBlue Foundation works to spark a passion for STEM especially among girls, knowing that a budding interest in science is critical to nurture at an early age. By showing these campers first-hand where a life-long interest in STEM can lead, the Foundation is laying down the groundwork for the next generation to take off.