Interactive aviation and STEM experiences help youth envision careers above and beyond
Hundreds of families from across the Sacramento region gathered at Mather Airport on May 30 as the California Capital Airshow hosted its annual Positive Altitude STEM event, providing young people with an opportunity to explore careers in aviation, aerospace and technology through hands-on experiences and direct interaction with industry professionals.
Designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, pilots, engineers and aviation professionals, the half-day event introduced youth of all ages to the many career paths available within the aviation and aerospace industries while highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
The event opened with a lunchtime conversation and keynote address by Darby Dustman, director of strategy and programs at VELA and a rocket propulsion leader with more than a decade of experience in aerospace and defense. Throughout her career, Dustman has contributed to hypersonic systems, boosters for NASA’s Artemis program and next-generation missile technology, bringing real-world insight and inspiration to the young audience.
“Every person you admire has a failure story,” Dustman told attendees. “You just usually only see the launch.”
Her remarks encouraged students to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks and remain focused on their goals as they pursue future careers and educational opportunities.
Following the keynote presentation, attendees spread out across dozens of interactive exhibits and demonstrations that showcased the diverse opportunities available within aviation and aerospace fields.
Young visitors had the opportunity to get up close with aircraft and specialized equipment from organizations including REACH Air Medical Systems, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Air Unit and Drone Team, UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Coast Guard. Representatives from each organization shared information about their careers and the critical roles they play in transportation, emergency response, public safety and logistics.
Interactive STEM exhibits provided additional opportunities for hands-on learning, allowing participants to explore scientific concepts while engaging directly with educational displays. Demonstrations from Mad Science helped bring STEM principles to life through entertaining and educational activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.
California Capital Airshow officials said the goal of Positive Altitude is to expose young people to opportunities they may not otherwise encounter and help them envision themselves in careers that support and advance the aviation industry.
“We want every kid who comes through this event to see someone who looks like them, doing a job they never knew existed,” said Darcy Brewer, CEO of the California Capital Airshow. “Aviation is air traffic controllers, medics, engineers, package delivery, law enforcement and so much more. Events like this help inspire the future of our industry, so we want these kids to be exposed to the tremendous opportunities ahead of them.”
Positive Altitude is one of several youth-focused STEM initiatives produced annually by the California Capital Airshow. Additional programs, including ACE Academy and Destination Aviation, are scheduled for later this summer and continue the organization’s mission of making aviation education accessible to young people throughout the region.
All of the programs are offered free of charge and are specifically designed to reach youth who may not otherwise have access to aviation-related experiences, helping broaden awareness of educational pathways and career possibilities within the industry.
By connecting students with professionals, aircraft, technology and interactive learning experiences, Positive Altitude continues to serve as an important gateway for inspiring the next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders while encouraging young minds to dream big and aim high.
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