Kids At Oshkosh Can Complete Stations At KidVenture And Win Tools

By Maria Morrison

At Oshkosh AirVenture, adults watch the planes fly by inverted, shop for parts, and look around for flying legends. What about the kids? Now there is something for them too; KidVenture.

At KidVenture, kids (and adults) can learn the basics of riveting, electrics, airflow, generators, engines, wing structure, and brakes. At the brakes station, kids can disassemble and reassemble brakes on airplane tires. Another station lets kids build a balsa wood model of an airplane rib. One booth has an open engine. this shows kids about the overall actions of intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

The next station around is the make-a-generator place. Here, kids can follow the instruction on a place mat to make a RAT (Ram Air Turbine) generator that controls a LED light. Next is the booth that gives some description on airflow by letting kids carve their own propellers. Kids are given blocks of wood, sandpaper, and carving tools. The station can take up to three hours, but the finished product is a smooth, even, and great looking prop that kids can take home as a memento of Oshkosh. Another station gives kids knowledge on wiring and electrics.

The last station (and one of my favorites) let kids make name tags with wings to learn about riveting. If that worked out, kids can do riveting on parts of an aluminum RV-12. All of these activities are easy, entertaining, and interesting for all ages, with rewards that fit all too. At the beginning of your KidVenture experience, participants are encouraged to pick up a form that gets stamped by a helper when you finish a station. When all eight stations are complete, turn in your form for a free tool kit. Hurry, though, there aren’t that many!

FMI: www.airventure.org