Several high school students in Black Gold Regional Division No. 18 (BGRD) are about to get a sky-high learning experience.

The Division is partnering with Elevate Aviation to give students an authentic look at the aviation industry. Through the Elevate Aviation Learning Centre, students will spend five days at Edmonton International Airport and Parkland Airport, speaking with industry professionals and gaining a firsthand understanding of the day-to-day operations through hands-on activities, such as flight simulation and air traffic control training.

“Immersive educational experiences like this are unmatchable in their ability to show students new paths and opportunities,” says BGRD Instructional Designer Jennifer Southcombe.

Southcombe and BGRD’s Learning Services Coordinator Terri Reid are working directly with Elevate Aviation on the opportunity. The collaboration ensures the experience aligns with the Division’s overall approach to student learning.

“When we expose students to careers that they are not familiar with, we expand their horizons and the options that they have as they leave school,” says Reid, “Our goal is to create those opportunities and help them find the path that best suits them.”

The experience is slated for the spring of 2019. More than two dozen high school students from Calmar, New Sarepta, Thorsby, and Warburg will be accepted. Further information on eligibility and dates will be shared in early 2019.