PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – More than 2,600 Charlotte County students experienced the thrill of aviation firsthand through the new Earn Your Wings program at the Florida International Air Show.
The initiative, launched in partnership with Charlotte County Public Schools, gave each participating student a free ticket to the air show and a full morning of interactive STEM and aviation learning.
Led by Deelynn Bennett, retired Charlotte County educator and Innovator STEM Program Director for the Air Show, the event’s Innovators STEM Tent connected students with aviation and technology professionals for hands-on demonstrations and career exploration.
Participating organizations included Simpilot/Alex Rodriquez, Flybright/Austin Pulliam, Charlotte Technical College programs in aviation maintenance, IT, automotive, and electricity, Aviation Start/Jamail Larkins, Career Source Southwest Florida, Women in Aviation – Southwest Florida Chapter, Charlotte County Public Works, and Suncoast Bi-Planes, among others.
“This is what education looks like when you put real opportunity in front of kids,” Bennett said. “When students meet real pilots, engineers, and innovators, the idea of a future in aviation becomes real. They realize these careers are within reach.”
A highlight of the program was AviationStart Founder Jamail Larkins, who earned his pilot’s license at 14 and is now a national aviation ambassador. Larkins visited Charlotte County middle schools before the air show to speak about aviation career paths, STEM learning, and goal setting.
The Charlotte Community Foundation funded the initiative, marking the first time a community-backed STEM education program of this size has been featured at the Air Show.
“We are committed to opening doors for the next generation,” said the Florida International Air Show president. “This partnership strengthened our community, expanded access, and gave students the chance to see themselves in high-skill, high-opportunity careers. We look forward to building on this success in future years.”
