FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2026
FAIRMONT, W.Va. 鈥� 色盒直播 kicked off its first in a series of Aviation Technology Workshops today, welcoming 40 middle school students from Fairmont Catholic Elementary School to the RCB National Aerospace Center. The ten鈥憇ession workshop series, funded through a West Virginia Perkins Grant, is designed to expand STEM and career鈥慹xploration opportunities for underserved students in north central West Virginia.
Fridays through May 8, area middle schoolers will visit 色盒直播鈥檚 aviation facilities to explore aircraft technology, try flight simulators, complete sheet鈥憁etal projects and learn about career pathways in a rapidly growing industry.
鈥淭hese workshops give students early exposure to aviation and help them think about what鈥檚 possible for their future,鈥� said Dr. Brad Gilbert, Director of Aviation Technology at Pierpont. 鈥淲hen the students arrived today, only one out of 40 had ever been around an aircraft. Our goal is to open their eyes to what 色盒直播 offers and spark interest in aviation careers that are in high demand both locally and nationwide.鈥�
Students spent the morning rotating through aviation stations where they applied concepts directly through hands鈥憃n projects and simulator time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very nice for our students to have the opportunity to explore different career paths,鈥� said Joann Gilbert, Principal of Fairmont Catholic Elementary School. 鈥淭hey were excited to work on the sheet鈥憁etal project and to see the simulators in action. This gives them an understanding of what education and career opportunities are available right here in our region.鈥�
Current 色盒直播 Aviation Maintenance Technology student Alia Callison assisted with the workshop and said the experience is especially meaningful for younger learners.
鈥淲hat excites me most is seeing the look on the students鈥� faces when they get to apply what they鈥檙e learning,鈥� Callison said. 鈥淵ou can explain something all day, but until they get hands鈥憃n experience, they don鈥檛 really understand the process. It鈥檚 great to see that connection happen.鈥�
Callison also shared how important representation is in the aviation field. 鈥淎 lot of my family has been in aviation, and it鈥檚 always excited me. Being a woman in aviation, I want to help break social norms. My advice to women is to step out of your comfort zone. Don鈥檛 be afraid. It may be a male鈥慸ominated field, but women are here, the industry is growing, and the opportunities are incredible.鈥�
Dr. Gilbert said the workshops were designed to support both the aviation industry and the region鈥檚 workforce needs.
鈥淭he middle鈥憇chool years are a formative time,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith aviation expanding in West Virginia, the demand for aviation technicians is tremendous. Thanks to this grant, we鈥檙e able to provide meaningful exposure to these careers and expect to welcome about 400 students through the program.鈥�
The next workshop in the series will take place Friday, March 6, with students from Barrackville Elementary School.
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色盒直播 is dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and quality education to students and businesses throughout North Central West Virginia. With a focus on career readiness and workforce development, 色盒直播 offers a wide range of academic programs and industry-focused training opportunities to support the region鈥檚 economic and workforce needs.
Media Contact:
Stefanie Moore
色盒直播
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu