North Jersey Chapter Air Bears
AIR BEAR PROGRAM GIVES KIDS A LIFT!
Of all the 99s' educational pursuits, the Air Bear program has to be one of the most fun. It provides a learning experience that teaches children in grade school about aviation and a lot more.
Typically, with the cooperation of a school teacher, a chapter member takes an Air Bear to a classroom, where she introduces herself and the Air Bear to the children. She then leaves the Air Bear with the class for a few weeks, allowing the children to bond with it.
Whenever a chapter member goes for an interesting flight, she takes the Air Bear along with her, taking photographs of the Air Bear at different locations. The Air Bear writes post cards to the children back at home, and the children usually write letters to the Air Bear.
When the chapter member returns home, she takes the Air Bear back to the children, shows them the photographs of where the bear has been, and, using a map, points out the route that she and the Air Bear followed. The chapter member usually leaves the class with a scrap book containing photographs and other mementos of the Air Bear's travels.
In this exciting program, children get to learn about geography, develop geometrical and mapping skills, enhance their reading and writing skills, and learn about the joy of flying!
For more information about this program, please contact Jean Scibetta.