If you were to ask the average teenager if they would like to design an airport, more than likely, that’s not an activity that they would consider, nor really even think about… at least until recently. This past year, the FAA launched a STEM-AVSED opportunity where students from across the world (in grades K-12th) could take part in an Airport Design Challenge. Students were encouraged to work virtually, individually or in teams, and were required to participate in a 5-week progressive program guided by FAA staff members who are experts in specific areas of airport planning. New curriculum was rolled out each week with explicit objectives for the students to accomplish. The sessions involved airport pavement, lighting, perimeter fencing, lighting/marking/signs, building structures and other innovations, culminating in a final project for each student to submit. Students could research any airport, and then choose to recreate that airport using the virtual tools within the world of Microsoft’s Minecraft.
One such student who took the challenge was (16-year old) Spencer Kemp, son of Jerome Kemp - Manager in the Enterprise Services Center’s Cybersecurity Assessment Services Support Section (AMK-234). In an effort to keep busy during the global health crisis, Jerome informed his son about this opportunity and Spencer thought it would be interesting to try. Coming from a family that has strong generational ties to engineering, cybersecurity, aviation and space, Spencer’s DNA was certainly a possible factor in making his decision.
It was 2011 when Spencer’s friend first introduced him to Minecraft, and about five years later, Spencer became much more interested in the program. Operating the computer is not something that Spencer takes for granted, as his parents limit him and his three siblings’ screen time — which is dependent upon the completion of their household chores. Since this was a computer-related competition, Spencer’s parents granted him extra screen time to design his airport.
Spencer used Google Earth and Minecraft to create a true-to-scale model of the Will Rogers World Airport (OKC). Living fairly close to this airport, he and his father could drive by the facility and compare it with his computer renderings. "I really enjoyed using the Google Earth marking tool, as it gives you precise measurements," says Spencer. "Even though I have never physically visited the inside of this airport, I can imagine what it looks like." He started his project with the southwest corner, using zero-zero coordinates and then created the rest of the airport to scale. Investing more than 125 hours into the project, Spencer tackled the project on his own, naming his entry "Solo Block Innovations." He used topographical maps to increase his accuracy. Each week, he noticed that his airport began to take shape. Students were required to take weekly screenshots of their progress. Spencer had previously taken a video editing course and applied some of the video production techniques that he learned to create his entry video. He added special filters and texture features for increased realism. These additional features required him to install several upgrades to his computer to handle the added graphics workload. Spencer says that his favorite part of the creation was constructing the actual buildings within Minecraft, and truly understanding what purpose each of the structures served. The most challenging feature to create was the airport lighting system and having to lay out all of the appropriate "wiring."
The Airport Design Challenge Awards Ceremony was held virtually via YouTube livestream on January 21st with 1,300 students from 49 states competing, representing 21 different countries and 6 continents. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson commented, "We need kids and young people like you to develop your talents and work with each other, whatever country you live in, whatever your background. Whether you live in the countryside, the city or the suburbs, and when you are older, you can help us make flying even better than it is now."
During the ceremony, and to Spencer’s surprise, he was announced as the First Place winner from Grades 7-12, Primary (Large) Airport category in the FAA Airport Design Challenge! To see Spencer being awarded jump to timestamp 42:37. To see Spencer’s final project submission visit here.
NASA Astronaut Captain Robert "Hoot" Gibson expressed, "It’s important to have a goal in life. And thanks so much, not just to our contestants and the participants, but to the Federal Aviation Administration for leading the way; giving our young people goals to aim for in the world of aviation."
Spencer’s Head Principal, Dr. Kathy Knowles and Curriculum and Instruction Principal, Melanie Hix from Mustang High School, were also on hand to virtually congratulate Spencer, as well as the Director of Airports, Will Rogers World Airport, Mark Kranenburg, who delivered a personal video message to Spencer during the awards ceremony.
The goal of the FAA’s Airport Design Challenge is to encourage youth to continue the pursuit of aviation, as the world needs bright, creative and talented minds to bring amazing innovation and ideas into reality.
