This week marked the culmination of a very special CLIC week for Vermont Day School students. CLIC stands for Create, Learn, Innovate, and Celebrate.
Students began with an all school field trip to BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company in South Burlington, to learn about specific aspects of the company. Rotating to different stations they saw the ALIA aircraft up close, visited a charging station, learned how electric energy is created, and even sat in the flight simulator!
BETA Technologies, an entrepreneurial leader in its field, then charged the students with their project assignment for the week: design and create a book that can teach other children about the work of BETA Technologies. “We at BETA think it is just as important to engage and inspire the next generation of engineers and pilots as it is to move the aerospace industry forward today,” said Sarah DeShaw, Team Member at BETA. “Team BETA is working every day to create a better, more sustainable future and to us, that’s something our entire community can get involved in together.”
Vermont Day School students spent the week conducting research and interviewing BETA experts. Each student, from PreK to 8th grade, was involved in the artwork and writing of the chapters. Elementary students focused on the story of the ALIA aircraft. Older students studied the history, company culture, innovative technology, sustainable business practices, and the future plans for BETA Technologies.
“BETA’s culture and engineering design principles of ‘make it, try it, do it, break it, and do it again’ resonate strongly with our approach to STEM education,’ remarked Sage Bagnato, head of school for Vermont Day School. “This is an invaluable learning experience for our students and we are grateful for this partnership with Beta Technologies.”
The final product was presented to Beta Technologies at the end of the week and will be shared with children and students in the community for years to come.