Glendora Youth Tackle Air Travel Problems

As the summer season approaches and the California Sun blisters over the Glendora foothills, Glendora students look for a fun way to spend the summer. However, the allure of summer fun may be more than it seems. As part of the Annual Summer Discovery Challenge, the Glendora Public Library has launched a new program titled “The Great Paper Airplane Contest” with the goal of encouraging students to engage in learning activities, discover new hobbies, and explore new skills throughout the summer under this year’s theme: level up.

The contest consists of four preliminary rounds–two at Gladstone Park and two at Finkbiner Park–throughout June and July. The top 10 participants with the furthest throws will advance to the finals where they will showcase their creativity and engineering prowess on the second floor of the library. The event serves as a platform to foster children's creativity, enhance STEM skills, and teach problem-solving.

In consideration of the aviation incidents from earlier this year, cultivating young minds with both strong problem-solving abilities and a strong sense of empathy is more important than ever. For example, the tragic crash of Voepass Flight 2283 in Brazil, which resulted in the loss of all 62 lives on board, highlighted the critical need for innovation in aircraft design and safety measures. Similarly, the collision at Haneda Airport in Japan, involving a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of air traffic management and the necessity for meticulous planning and execution. Incidents like these emphasize the importance of instilling a mindset of adaptability and improvement in young minds.

Like engineers who analyze and learn from past incidents to improve future designs, the children participating in the paper airplane contest learn to assess failures, identify areas for improvement, and brainstorm solutions. These hands-on activities not only make learning exciting but also spark a sense of curiosity and resilience into the community.

Programs like The Great Paper Airplane Contest lay the groundwork for future innovators and critical thinkers. And whileWhile the skies may present challenges, the ground beneath our feet offers opportunities to foster the next generation of problem solvers and pioneers. By inspiring children to dream big, think critically, and navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and creativity, we all learn to soar to new heights.