(London, Ontario) – Airshow London, in collaboration with key educational partners across the city are excited to offer student-focused events on September 12 and 13 aimed at inspiring and educating the next generation through a series of interactive and educational activities, with a focus on aviation and science.

Thursday, September 12: Fanshawe Hangar Event On September 12, up to 180 aviation students from Fanshawe College, Western University and Montcalm Secondary School will participate in a private meet-and-greet with the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows. The event, hosted at Fanshawe’s Aviation Centre (1000 Air Ontario Drive), is part of the Red Arrows’ “Maple Hawk” tour of Canada to celebrate the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Fanshawe’s Aviation Centre (1000 Air Ontario Drive)
• Event Activities:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM: 'Let’s Talk Science' presentation for TVDSB students.
  • 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Red Arrows student meet and greet with college, university and high school students.

Friday, September 13: Third Annual Education Day On September 13, Airshow London’s Education Day will offer more than 3,000 grade 6 students from across the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) an opportunity to explore Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and engage with crew.

• Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Location: London International Airport, Gate 66 via Huron Street (see https://airshowlondon.com)
• Event Activities:
  • Students interacting with various educational activities and exhibits.

Media Invitation: Media are invited to attend and cover these engaging educational activities. This is an opportunity to document the excitement of young students as they engage directly with aviation professionals and explore various aircraft.

Partner Quotes: “Through our partnerships we are setting the stage for a unique educational experience. These collaborative efforts allow us to create a dynamic environment where post-secondary, high school, and Grade 6 students can gain hands-on exposure to the aviation world, fostering an early interest in STEM fields. We are proud to lead such initiatives that inspire and educate,” stated Holly Doty, Executive Director of Airshow London.

“As a leading provider of aviation training in the Ontario college system, Fanshawe values working with partners like Airshow London to unlock potential by providing exceptional learning opportunities that get students of all ages thinking about pursuing a rewarding career in the aviation sector,” said Larry Weir, associate dean of Fanshawe’s Norton Wolf School of Aviation and Aerospace Technology.

“Western’s unique Commercial Aviation Management Program sets students up for success in this exciting and challenging field. We are thrilled to collaborate with Airshow London and our other educational partners in the city to encourage and inspire the next generation of students in the aviation industry.” – Jacqueline Book, Director, Commercial Aviation Management, Western University

“We’re very grateful to be able to work with Airshow London to create a unique learning opportunity for our students,” said Andrew Canham, Associate Director. “We want all Thames Valley students to be exposed to as many different career pathways as possible. Working with Airshow London means students get a hands-on, up-close-and-personal experience that inspires careers in aviation.”

"In our role as educators, our goal is to collaborate with industry experts to explore career pathways and design meaningful learning experiences that empower students to reach their potential," said Christine Giannacopoulos, TVDSB’s superintendent of student achievement.

"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Airshow London to provide our students with an experiential learning opportunity that is engaging and fun. One-on-one interaction with pilots and mechanics grants students a deeper understanding of the industry while providing valuable insights into the wide range of roles within the aviation sector". Vince Romeo, Director of Education, LDCSB.

For more information, please contact:

• Valerie Gibbons, Director of Public Relations Airshow London media@airshowlondon.com 519-377-7537
• Kyle Rooks, Corporate Communications Officer Fanshawe College krooks@fanshawec.ca 519-520-6679
• Cheryl Weedmark, Manager of Communications and Public Relations Thames Valley District School Board cheryl.weedmark@tvdsb.ca 519-630-6777