10 Fun Activities For Aviation Aspirants In High School

Do you wonder what it takes to be a proud pilot and fly across countries? Aviation jobs are demanding and have many job positions beyond being a pilot. Right from the hustle and bustle of flight attendants, passengers, and boarding gates to the announcements, digital boards, and security management, a lot goes into the aviation industry. If you are someone who wants to explore ground-level jobs or be the next pilot, it is essential to learn about aviation during your high school years. 

With aviation activities, you get an opportunity to uncover facts and figures about the field in a comprehensive manner. Aviation Activities are focused on enhancing knowledge, testing capabilities, and intensifying the passion for getting into the field. In this article, you shall discover helpful aviation activities directed at teaching beyond the basics of airplanes and airports.

Interesting aviation activities for high school students 

Aviation activities make you ready for the future in the field. With a combination of various aspects of aviation, you get to learn and experience the realistic world of it. The below-mentioned activities boost critical thinking and analytical skills with the application of physics, science, math, and creativity. 

1. What’s in the Past?

The aviation industry is vast as constant developments are made in the way we board a flight today. Right from electronically generated passes to the convenience of flying to other countries, a lot has changed. This activity challenges high schoolers to develop their research skills and put forward their views about it.

For this activity, divide students into teams of 4 members each. They need to prepare a presentation mentioning the history of aviation. They can talk about its creation, ground-level management, hiring process, and today’s development in the sector. Students may either use charts or PowerPoint presentations to showcase their research in this activity.

2. Design Challenge

The aviation industry is so much more than pilots and cabin crew. High school students need to get an opportunity to explore various parts of an airport and understand their role in the success of this industry. This activity allows students to be creative and analyze the working of an airport through a practical design.

For this activity, ask students to use any designing software or even draw the layout of an airport. They may use library books or watch videos to understand the working of an airport. Divide students into teams of 4 members each. They need to consider designing by keeping in mind the driveway, terminals, boarding gates, ticket checking area, runways, and other important factors. Allow an open discussion and let other teams show their appreciation towards competing teams.

3. Quiz Time!

High schoolers are likely to understand the aviation industry better when they are equipped with the right information. You can show them the right path of learning only when you identify the gaps in knowledge. This activity focuses on testing the intellectual levels of students with reference to different aspects of the aviation industry. 

For this activity, all you need to do is find different questions related to the airplane, its operations, and ground-level management. Put them in a quiz format and divide the students into teams of 3 members each. Distribute the quiz and allow a specific time to complete it. Instead of keeping a manual method of checking, invite an open discussion from learners in this activity

4. The Cabin Crew

Cabin crew members play an important role in making travelers comfortable throughout their journey. It is crucial to teach students the many functions and features of cabin crew members. For this activity, ask students to watch videos or read articles about cabin crew members and their responsibilities.

Once done, ask high schoolers to dress like cabin crew members and give safety instructions in a similar way. Allow them the freedom to walk around in the class to offer snacks and drinks to travelers (other students) who are on board. As you turn the class into a plane, students are more likely to enjoy this role-play activity.

5. You’re Hired!

Cracking interviews for an aviation job is one of the toughest things to do. Aviation jobs are pretty demanding in nature and require an excellent understanding of the field. This is why it is crucial to offer an activity where students learn about the interviewing process. For this activity, divide the students into two groups – interviewers and interviewees.

Interviewees need to prepare their resumes for the interview process. On the other hand, interviewers need to make a set of different questions considering the position interviewees are applying for. You may assign 12-15 positions beforehand for this activity. Now, let the interview begin and allow the other students to watch the process. When the activity is over, let students share their views and feedback about it.

6. Aircraft Essentials

Aircraft require extreme planning to be ready for the flight. High schoolers planning to pursue their careers in the industry need to know the basic science and engineering behind making aircraft. This activity focuses on offering realistic knowledge about aircraft by considering the different responsibilities of pilots, ground-level staff, and flight attendants. For this activity, show students videos and documentaries on the functioning of flights and airports. 

Now, explain to them the basic concepts and challenge them to make their own models. Divide students into teams of 2 members each and challenge them to build a model depicting the steps. Just like a science fair, arrange an aviation fair in the class and let them explain their models to students and teachers. For example, flight attendants can make a model showcasing the process of greeting passengers, giving safety instructions. Similarly, pilots can make a model of the cockpit and essential steps before takeoff.

7. The Airport Journey

Realistic learning is one where students not only learn but also get an opportunity to clarify their doubts. For this activity, arrange a field trip to one of the local airports. Ask students to explore the airport and note different pointers. For example, they may understand how the airport is one of the best places for brands to sell authentic souvenirs and food items at high prices. 

For this activity, give students a paper and divide it into various sections like – ground-level management, retail marketing, boarding gates, and so on. After this, invite an open discussion where every student talks about one unique aspect that they observed at the airport. For example, a student may highlight the chaos when the boarding gate was changed for a certain flight and how travelers disagreed with the situation.

8. What’s the Term?

The aviation industry is all about many terms and they differ from airport to airport. Just as we use the name airplane or plane for boarding, there are many technical names to it. To get into this field, it is essential for students to acquire knowledge about the terms with their meanings to understand the field better.

For this activity, give a list of important terms used in aviation including airfoil, cockpit, glide ratio, landing gear, and so on. Make a list of 40 to 50 such terms. Ask students to find their meanings and understand them thoroughly. The next day, ask any student a term and he/she needs to explain the same to the class. The activity involves information exchange where students learn from each other and even expand their knowledge.

9. Saga of Situations

An airport is always busy with passengers running for their flights or some forgetting their passports at home. Students planning to get into the aviation industry need to know how different situations play a major role in the smooth functioning of an airport. For this activity, make students aware of the basic chaos that can happen at airports and on flights.

Now, make a list of different situations and write them on chits. For example, one of the situations can be drafted – What shall you do if a passenger is angry with the co-passenger for taking the armrest? Each student needs to pick one chit and analyze the situation. Putting themselves in the shoes of the respective position, they need to present their answer to the class.

10. My Career Map

Aviation jobs can be divided into various categories from security check management to being a pilot. However, each position requires different experience and skills. High schoolers willing to get into the aviation industry must know the basics about the requirements of degrees, certifications, and skills.

For this activity, students need to research aviation jobs and how to get them. Give them a blank sheet of a huge piece of paper and ask them to map their journey in reaching their destination. For example, they may map out different aviation institutes, fees for the courses, simulation training, and so on. After mapping their career journey, have a one-to-one conversation to explore more. Encouraging words by teachers act as a successful completion of this activity. 

Essential skills required for aviation jobs 

Aviation jobs are fast-paced and require an analytical mindset to perform effectively. While high schoolers focus on understanding aspects of the aviation field, the below-mentioned are necessary skills for getting into the industry.

• Communication plays an important role in the aviation industry as passengers need constant assistance right from boarding passes to landing and getting the baggage. You may use different communication activities to help them develop vocabulary and grammar.
• Critical Thinking is a much-needed skill as aviation jobs are mentally demanding. Pilots as well as ground-level staff have to check for a hundred different aspects before letting passengers board the flight.
• Another prime factor is possessing the qualities of a leader and handling issues with intelligence. Leadership skills help students become active listeners, understand the issues, and take the right steps for resolutions. In this case, leadership activities in high school can be conducted for fostering a creative learning experience. 

While aviation jobs also require dedication, time management and confidence, the above-mentioned skills form the fundamentals of the requirement. It is crucial to equip students with these skills and offer innovative learning methods throughout the high school years.

Wrapping Up

The aviation field is huge and as admirable as it may look, there is a lot to be discovered and learned by high schoolers. All it takes is the right teaching and involvement of methodologies that opens the door to creative learning. The above-mentioned activities are designed in a comprehensive manner to offer knowledge and practical information on different areas of aviation jobs. High school students can develop communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills by engaging in realistic learning of the aviation field.