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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2020)
January 29, 2020 Page 11 Expanding Opportunities in Aviation C ontinued from f ront new executive director of the pro- gram, located in the former the Albina Youth Opportunity School on North Mississippi Avenue. The instruction young people get about airplanes is geared to give them opportunities for success in the aviation field. Cannell’s father is a good ex- ample, she said. He came from humble beginnings, but a ride in an airplane changed his life and sparked his interest in flying. He learned to fly and was a pilot for Northwest Airlines for 30 years. Cannell wants more kids to get exposure to flying as well. “My hope is that kids find their passion through aerospace,” she said. “There are incredible op- portunities in this field, and the goal is to reach as many kids as we can through our community partners, encouraging kids to learn what they can about avi- ation and aerospace and to try things out.” Aviation is the art or science of making and flying aircraft, while aeronautics is the design, construction, mathematics and mechanics of aircraft and other flying objects. Both pursuits require a back- ground in science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM, Cannell said, subject ar- eas that are taught with hands-on opportunities at Airway Science for Kids. Thanks to charitable donations, the classes are free to students. ASK was founded in 1991 by Bob Strickland, a retired Air Force auditor, Cannell said. “He had a love and passion for aviation and cared deeply about kids of color,” she said. “He knew a lot our young people were falling through the cracks, with gangs and other distraction, and he wanted to make a positive impact by sparking an interest in STEM through aviation.” You don’t have to be a pilot to get a good job in aviation. Other jobs in the field include aerospace engineer, air traffic controller, aircraft maintenance, aviation management, aviation safety, aviation transport, flight instructors, civil and military aviation, and even cabin crew. At least 2,000 kids have been through the ASK program over the years, Cannell. Sixty percent were kids of color, she said, and at least 20 percent were girls. “We don’t turn any young person away and our focus is on kids of color and girls,” she said. STEM is the fastest growing field in the state and it’s also one of the most lucrative fields for future careers, but there is a disparity because of the relative- ly small number of women and $5.00 TEES CLUBS FAMILY REUNIONS SCHOOL CLUBS BUSINESSES SCREEN PRINTING 971-570-8214 Photo by b everly C orbell /t he P ortland o bserver McKenzie Reid, 18, a senior at Lincoln High, said the Airway Science for Kids program is helping her prepare for a career as an aerospace engineer. people of color pursuing math ficient and useful, Cannell said. can have something the commu- and science based vocations. ASK acquired the build- nity is proud of,” she said. So the goal is not necessar- ing, through a loan from a do- “We’re hoping to have a com- ily for the students to become nor, from the Northwest Health munity center where people can pilots, although many do, Can- Foundation, which bought the gather and maybe put affordable nell said, “Our hope and passion building when the Albina Youth housing on top,” she said. “And is that they explore learning in school was going defunct, she we could have programs down- STEM-related fields and go on said. stairs where little black and to have careers that are both “They wanted to make sure it brown kids are learning how to professional and lucrative for stayed in the community and the fly airplanes, how to build drones them.” property did not get redeveloped and really get excited about math The mission at ASK is to not into high rises, and they deserve and science.” only offer aviation and aeronau- a lot of credit.” But it can’t happen without tics training, but to convince But a lot of work still needs to community support, she said. local youth that it’s not outside be done and ASK is going to kick “Our program has been going their reach and they can do any- off a capital campaign soon to on for almost 30 years and we thing they set their minds to. remake the school into it a mod- want to continue for another 30 “As Bob Strickland used to ern educational facility and re- years,” she said. “But in order to say, ‘Your attitude determines pay the loan. The building needs do so, it will take the communi- your altitude,’” she said. “So to be thoroughly cleaned, old ty, the whole community, rally- many young people are rein- furniture removed, classrooms ing behind us.” forced that they can’t do certain renovated and much more. Cannell grew up in north and things. We attempt to decon- Renovations will probably northeast Portland, she said, and struct all of that and teach them take a couple of years, Cannell graduated from Benson High that if you can learn to set a said, and she’s hoping to form School. course for the Aurora Airport – partnerships with developers and “What this is about, to me, is whether it’s on a simulator or in foundations. giving back to the community a real airplane – if you can build “We’re hoping to get the com- that has given me so much.” a drone and fly a drone, if you munity excited because it’s right A celebration of the work of can build an airplane, then noth- on Mississippi, the heart of the ASK, “ASK Wings to Soar Cel- ing can stop you from realizing black community,” she said. ebration,” will be held at OMSI, your potential.” “What better homage to those the Oregon Museum of Science Learning to build drones and who came before us to making and Industry, at 6 p.m. on April 8 pilot them is a great job oppor- sure we have a permanent home for a reception and dinner with a tunity, Cannell said, and the for our young people to get ex- program emceed by current and biggest drone companies in the posed to STEM and CTE (career former students and followed by U.S., Northwest UAV, is located and technical education) right a dance party. in McMinnville. there on Mississippi.” To learn more about Airway The ASK building, which ASK is asking for in-kind sup- Science for Kids, and to register the nonprofit has leased for two port from builders and develop- for the “Ask Wings to Soar Cel- years and now owns, needs much ers in the short term and financial ebration,” go to the ASK website work to make the space more ef- partners for the long term “so we at wp1.airwayscience.org. 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