Enrichment Aviation STEM Tour BELIZE

Belize, country located on the northeast coast of Central America. Belize, which was known as British Honduras until 1973, was the last British colony on the American mainland. Its prolonged path to  independence was marked by a unique international campaign (even while it was still a British colony) against the irredentist claims of its neighbour Guatemala. Belize achieved independence on September 21, 1981, but it has retained its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth.

 

Ethnic groups

Many Belizeans are of mixed ancestry, most of them descendants of immigrants. Those of mixed Mayan and Spanish heritage (mestizos) constitute the largest ethnic group (about one-half of the population) and predominate in the more sparsely inhabited interior, along with the Maya (Yucatec Maya in the north and Mopán and Kekchí Maya in the south), who account for nearly one-tenth of the population. Englishspeaking people of largely African and British ancestry, who are called Creole, account for more than onefourth of the population and predominate in the central coastal regions.

 

Education

More than nine-tenths of the population aged 14 and older is literate. Primary schooling is compulsory between ages 5 and 12. Most schools are government-subsidized parochial (principally Roman Catholic) schools. The Mennonite community runs its own schools without government interference. One-half of primary school graduates continue on to secondary school, and only a small elite receive any form of higher education. The University of Belize (2000) in Belmopan is the country’s only full-fledged university. A centre of the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies (1949) in Belize City provides continuing adult education. There are also a community college, a school for arts and sciences, and Galen University, an independent school in the west of the country.

 

The statistics show a few young Belizeans choose to pursue Aviation and STEM-related career fields. This data presents a gap in workforce needs. Regardless of Belize’s talent pool, public and private institutions will have to outsource workers in those fields. Consequently leading to a limited domestic Aviation and STEM workforce on the country & Caribbean.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT

1. Educate, Empower & Enrich youth through communication on aviation careers, by creating a platform for exchange.
2. Promote the advancement of youth, women, and girls in aviation and space sciences, STEM education awareness, and business entrepreneurship in the field of aviation. We will accomplish this through seminars, school visits, networking events, team-building exercises, and mentorship sessions during the event.

between aviation stakeholders and the next generation of aviation professionals in Caribbean. The goal is to also align the future demand for skilled workers in the industry.

3. Actively promote gender equality across the continent by advocating for stakeholders to invest more in human capital development – especially girls through innovative methods in Caribbean to ensure safe and secure aviation for the next generation. Our message of gender equality in the Caribbean aviation industry is that each male professional must identify a woman they will inspire, mentor, and empower to promote women’s inclusion in the Aviation industry.

 

OUTCOMES EXPECTED

1. Inspired, Motivated and Empowered next generation of aviation professionals and business leaders, especially girls and women;
2. Provide STEM education awareness with a focus on the aviation and space industry; and
3. Contributing to the transformation of the aviation industry across the Caribbean.

Belize, 18 to 20 APRIL 2024 OUTREACH PROGRAM – Target 2000 young learners in Corozal district & Port Loyola Belize City, Belize.

Day 1 and 2: 18 & 19 April, 2024

Morning Sessions

08:00 – 11:30

School Visit Career Guidance:

Manned Aviation

Drone & STEM Education

Leadership & Soft Skills

Distributions of supplies

Afternoon Sessions

12:30 – 15:30

Orphanage visits:

STEM & story panel sessions

Drone & ICT demo

Distributions of supplies

 

DAY 3: 20 April 2024

AVIATION DAY EXHIBITION & EXPO

08:00 – 12:00

Airport visit

The air-traffic control tower visit

Aviation company exhibitions