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Motivating the Aerospace Valley: Edwards AFB inspires the next generation at the Aerospace Valley Career Festival

  • Published
  • By Adam Bowles
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The Antelope Valley High School District in conjunction with Edwards Air Force Base, NASA and Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 hosted the "Aerospace Valley Career Festival” which was a one-day cooperative effort among 19 high schools, major aerospace contractors, military recruiters, local business, civic groups, universities and colleges in the Aerospace Valley. The goal of this event was to highlight career pathways available in aerospace, military, government and STEM-related trades needed for the aerospace industry.

"The Aerospace Valley Career Fair was formally known as a 'Salute to Youth'," James Papin, Edwards AFB Environmental Management explained. "There were thousands of students that came out to learn about careers in the aerospace industry."

Each year, over 3,000 students that attend the event are treated to numerous visual and interactive career booths and aircraft static displays highlighting opportunities for their future. Representatives from Edwards AFB were there to join in on the motivation for the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.

"There are many different possibilities available for students to pursue. For us to represent Edwards from an environmental perspective, it is unique. You don't usually hear environmental management and the Department of Defense in the same sentence. It is important for all youth to know what opportunities they have besides just being a pilot or what they see on television that they are being influenced by," Papin said.

Despite the surplus of career paths to choose from, the dream of flying and pursuing aviation sticks out for some.

"My grandpa was in the Air Force and he used to work a lot with the different airplanes," Ariel, a student from Desert Jr/Sr High School said. "With inspiration from him, I have always liked planes. The sonic booms here are always so fascinating to me."

Ariel had first thought about wanting to be a marine  biologist but had taken her grandfather's advice to pursue a career in the aviation industry.

"I want to be a pilot. When they had the Aerospace Valley Air Show last year, I was so excited that I started crying because I love airplanes so much," noted Ariel.

While the Aerospace Valley Career Festival has ended for this year, there is still advice from the attendees for all of those thinking about a future in aviation.

"We encourage all of the kids out there to get an internship and go out and volunteer. Find something you love to do and give your time towards it and it will only help develop your career even faster," noted Papin.

"Even though it gets really hard and you hit rock bottom, there is always that leap you can take that will make things so much better. You can get to where you want to as long as you keep pushing through," Ariel said.

Keep a look out for details about next year's career festival that will be held in the Spring of 2024.

Slide show

Motivating the Aerospace Valley: Edwards AFB inspires the next generation at the Aerospace Valley Career Festival

  • Published
  • By Adam Bowles
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The Antelope Valley High School District in conjunction with Edwards Air Force Base, NASA and Operating Location Air Force Plant 42 hosted the "Aerospace Valley Career Festival” which was a one-day cooperative effort among 19 high schools, major aerospace contractors, military recruiters, local business, civic groups, universities and colleges in the Aerospace Valley. The goal of this event was to highlight career pathways available in aerospace, military, government and STEM-related trades needed for the aerospace industry.

"The Aerospace Valley Career Fair was formally known as a 'Salute to Youth'," James Papin, Edwards AFB Environmental Management explained. "There were thousands of students that came out to learn about careers in the aerospace industry."

Each year, over 3,000 students that attend the event are treated to numerous visual and interactive career booths and aircraft static displays highlighting opportunities for their future. Representatives from Edwards AFB were there to join in on the motivation for the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.

"There are many different possibilities available for students to pursue. For us to represent Edwards from an environmental perspective, it is unique. You don't usually hear environmental management and the Department of Defense in the same sentence. It is important for all youth to know what opportunities they have besides just being a pilot or what they see on television that they are being influenced by," Papin said.

Despite the surplus of career paths to choose from, the dream of flying and pursuing aviation sticks out for some.

"My grandpa was in the Air Force and he used to work a lot with the different airplanes," Ariel, a student from Desert Jr/Sr High School said. "With inspiration from him, I have always liked planes. The sonic booms here are always so fascinating to me."

Ariel had first thought about wanting to be a marine  biologist but had taken her grandfather's advice to pursue a career in the aviation industry.

"I want to be a pilot. When they had the Aerospace Valley Air Show last year, I was so excited that I started crying because I love airplanes so much," noted Ariel.

While the Aerospace Valley Career Festival has ended for this year, there is still advice from the attendees for all of those thinking about a future in aviation.

"We encourage all of the kids out there to get an internship and go out and volunteer. Find something you love to do and give your time towards it and it will only help develop your career even faster," noted Papin.

"Even though it gets really hard and you hit rock bottom, there is always that leap you can take that will make things so much better. You can get to where you want to as long as you keep pushing through," Ariel said.

Keep a look out for details about next year's career festival that will be held in the Spring of 2024.

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.