Answering a call to artists, The Launching Pad Childcare Facility students participated in the 2024 Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Youth Aviation Art Contest. The children created beautiful, original works for this year’s contest, which was themed "Air Sports for a Peaceful World." The contest asked participants to imagine a world where people live together in harmony, uniting through shared interests, such as air sports, while helping to create friendships and showing kindness and respect.
Entrants considered using imagery from the following as an example of what they could depict in their designs: aerobatics, aeromodelling, airships, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, balloons, drones, gliding, hang gliding, helicopters, man-powered flying, microlights, parachuting, paragliding, paramotors and power flying. All of these aero-related modes of transportation have the power to contribute to a peaceful society by bringing people together.
These activities allow students to develop their social skills and help them learn a sense of solidarity, friendship, and tolerance (on and off the airfield). By showing kindness and respect, students and participants can learn to see beyond differences and actively work to overcome difficulties and conflicts.
The Launching Pad had three judges for the event: Bryan Dahlvang from Quality Systems and Business Resources Staff (AMC-3), Joey Muth, and Debbie Brown, both from the Office of Facility Management (AMP-1). After careful study and deliberation about each piece's compositional design, quality, and aesthetics, winners were chosen for each age group.
In the Pre-K group, Imogene B. won first place, Brooks B. took second place, and Nolan H. took home third place.
Ronan F. was awarded first prize in the School-Aged Category, Kinley G. won second place, and Talia G. took third.
Once the local contest was complete, all of the artwork was sent to the FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., to compete against submissions from FAA centers nationwide. In a field of 110 competitors, four of the Launching Pad students received national recognition! Nolan H. earned a second-place award in the four-year-old category, Landon F. took third place, and Imogene B. received an Honorable Mention. In the five-year-old group, Talia G. received an Honorable Mention.
The Aeronautical Center and the Launching Pad are so proud of all the hard work and creativity these students put into their artwork! The FAA Annual Aviation and Aerospace Art Contest is an excellent opportunity for children to learn more about aviation and aerospace and showcase their artistic talents. It is also a significant opportunity to showcase the childcare center to members of the Aeronautical Center community and other FAA childcare centers across the United States. Members of the Launching Pad are already looking forward to participating in more collaborative activities in the future.
