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FAA Gives Kids Opportunity to Design Airports
Prepare to take off! Beginning on April 1, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Design Challenge will be open to more participants.
Using the Computer game Minecraft, the Challenge assists students in creating digital airports. International STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students will interact with aviation experts and learn about the aerospace sector as well as STEM ideas and jobs.
“We need to continue to reach out to youth in their areas of interest,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. “The Airport Design Challenges does this by combining gaming and aviation to develop our leaders of tomorrow.”
During the competition, students collaborate in small teams to learn about their local airports and to complete developmental tasks in Minecraft. They participate in organized lesson plans covering topics ranging from airport layout, pavement and lighting to structures and innovative growth. Program facilitators, including over 150 FAA employees, will use weekly knowledge-check quizzes and screenshots of students’ designs to assess progress and provide feedback.
The FAA encourages both U.S. and international students to participate in this virtual event. Last year, approximately 3,000 students took part. Learn more about the Airport Design Challenge and register here!
