Flying Over Time brings aviation and STEM programs to Las Vegas foster youth

Flying Over Time will debut in Las Vegas on Oct. 23-24 with aviation history exhibits, drone demos and a new STEM challenge aimed at foster youth and young adults. The effort ties into the city’s Foster Care Chamber of Commerce Day and seeks to expand access to training, mentorship and career pathways.

Why it matters: - Las Vegas is using a city proclamation to turn a commemorative day into hands-on career exposure for foster youth and transitional-age young adults. - The program links aviation history with STEM training, including drone instruction and a new challenge in environmental science, aviation technology and aquatic systems. - The initiative is designed to connect students to representation, accessibility and paid-forward opportunity in fields where early exposure can shape career paths.

What happened: - The Foster Care Chamber of Commerce and Flying Over Time will host events in Las Vegas on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. - The City of Las Vegas has proclaimed Oct. 24 as Foster Care Chamber of Commerce Day. - The group is marking the day by centering foster youth, their families and community partners rather than holding a self-focused celebration. - Hunter Cain, founder and executive director of the Foster Care Chamber of Commerce, said, “The city gave us a day, so we're giving the day back to our kids and our community.” - The Oct. 23 event is a partnered mini-expo for foster youth at CSN. - The Oct. 24 event will feature the debut of a 100th exhibition model on Donald A. Hall and the Spirit of St. Louis.

The details: - The exhibit will include original blueprints and equipment models tied to Donald A. Hall and the Spirit of St. Louis. - Flying Over Time is launching PRE-VUE, Vegas, a STEM Challenge focused on environmental science, aviation technology and aquatic systems. - The challenge will include leagues for ages 14 to 18 and 18 to 24. - Dedicated leagues for foster care youth and transitional-age youth are part of the plan. - The STEM Challenge is building toward a May 2027 finale. - The event will also include a drone demo certification session introducing recreational flying and the path to an FAA Part 107 commercial pilot license. - Las Vegas is the first city in the Spirit100 campaign. - A $19,000 gift will open the exhibit and put 19 students in Roots2Wings drone classes. - A $27,000 gift will fund 27 students and bring Nova Hall, grandson of Donald A. Hall, to Las Vegas for an in-person keynote. - Forty percent of every gift goes directly to student classes. - Hall said, “Not every future engineer looks like one at fifteen. Sometimes all it takes is exposure, opportunity and one person who sees that spark.”

Between the lines: - The program uses a history lesson about the Spirit of St. Louis to frame STEM access as an equity issue for foster youth. - The donor structure ties funding directly to student participation, which makes the campaign easy to understand and measure. - The focus on both ages 14 to 18 and 18 to 24 suggests the organizers want to reach youth before and after aging out of foster care.

What's next: - Early registration is open for PRE-VUE, Vegas. - The donor campaign is directing supporters to FlyingOverTime.org/donate. - More information is available at FosterCareChamber.com/WeThrive. - The STEM Challenge is expected to culminate in May 2027. - Organizers say the broader effort is part of the centennial path for Flying Over Time and the Spirit100 campaign.

The bottom line: - Flying Over Time is turning a historic aviation story into a practical pipeline for foster youth, with exhibits, drone training and STEM programming all aimed at opening doors to future careers.