SGX pilots programme for kids with autism to learn about aviation
Children from Awwa School @ Bedok try a flight simulator and a tour of an aircraft hangar and a plane
THE Singapore Exchange (SGX) has partnered a programme initiated by a former pilot and educator to teach kids with autism from Awwa School @ Bedok about aviation.
On Thursday (Sep 19), about 30 children took part in the Flight & Flying programme led by Cyrano Latiff, who used to fly for Singapore Airlines. Now engaged in consultancy work, he also used to be a lecturer of aviation management and services at Temasek Polytechnic (TP).
The programme, run with the help of volunteers from SGX, was held at TP’s aviation academy.
Aged seven to 14, the children tried out a flight simulator at the tech lab, with student volunteers from TP’s Diploma in Aviation Management course guiding them. They also visited an aircraft hangar and were given a guided tour of a Hawker 700A private jet.
SGX volunteers interacted with the students, and one student, Keith Ng, 10, said the flight simulator was his favourite part of the programme because he was given a pilot’s point of view.
Another student, Arshan Nawwaz, nine, said he enjoyed seeing the aircraft up close the most, and learning interesting things about it, such as how to open its doors and how it lands on its wheels.
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Pauline Cheng, head of programme at Awwa School @ Bedok, noted: “One of our priorities is for students to be exposed to different activities in the community. For this particular learning journey, they got to meet different people and took part in activities they don’t usually do in a group setting.”
A learning journey
This was the first time Latiff had worked with SGX to run the Flight & Flying Programme for this group of students.
Latiff said that, while the children could learn something new and have a hands-on experience with aeroplanes, the initiative was also a “respite programme” for their teachers, as they were able to get out of the classroom.
He added: “I initiated this Flight & Flying Programme in 2008 with the aim of introducing and exposing children to aviation in a fun way, and to give an opportunity to those who would never have had the chance to come up close with a flying machine, and what’s more, to get to be in a cockpit.
“It’s an experiential learning platform for all, regardless of ability and age, creative and agile in its approach, and diverse and inspirational in its outcomes.”
Cheng of the Awwa School expressed hope of partnerships with other corporates and organisations to deliver more “value-added dynamic learning experiences” to her students.
Geraldine Tan, managing director, internal audit at SGX Group, who volunteered with her team, said the highlight of the programme was seeing the kids get excited about getting up close to the aircraft.
The Flight & Flying Programme for the students is part of SGX Cares, its corporate social responsibility programme. Awwa, which runs schools for children with special needs and also serves families, the elderly and persons with additional needs, has been a beneficiary of SGX Cares since 2010.
SGX said it may run this programme for other beneficiaries in the future.
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