There is a trend in education that Think Global Flight hopes to reverse, using aviation as the messenger. The organization intends to launch a circumnavigation flight in a Cirrus SR20 G3 in September of 2013 in a bid to encourage students all over the world to take the “STEM” subjects in school and keep science and technology moving. In a podcast interview, spokesman Guy Robinson said test scores in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are low and getting lower, especially in the U.S., and the organization hopes to help reverse that trend with some aviation inspiration.
Robinson said pilot Judy Rice and navigator Fred Nauer plan hope to launch from Honolulu and visit Europe, Asia, North America and Australia on an ambitious route that includes legs of more than 2,000 miles. Along the way, they want to visit schools in dozens of countries bringing the message that the so-called hard subjects are stimulating, interesting and ultimately rewarding. Students are also invited to join Student Command Centers to become active participants in the flight. The aircraft has been donated by Guidance Aviation, of Prescott, Ariz., and there are numerous other sponsors.
