Air Bears Go to the Airport is the second phase of our programme. You, the teacher, have been provided with a presentation package containing, among other items, a vocabulary list, information on handouts, programmes, and follow-through airport trip programmes.

The Air Bear Tour is conducted at your local flying club. With their permission, the children receive a conducted tour of their facilities, ground school, meeting/lounge areas, administration, and, of course, hangar and planes. With pre-arrangement, an aircraft may be made available for closer inspection. For most, this will be the highlight of the tour. Also they may watch aircraft taking off and landing.

Reinforce vocabulary previously discussed in the classroom with actual models and examples. A short course in aviation vernacular might include such terms as wing, propeller, cockpit, pilot, mechanic, etc., appropriate to the examples to be presented. Pointing out the difference between a low-wing and a high-wing aircraft is very easy, just point to the example, explain it and have the group say it back.

If time and the facilities permit, show short films on flying (see Ontario Science Centre list). To conclude the Air Bears Phase II, distribute Air Bear Certificates and any mementos arranged, i.e. decals or stickers. A snapshot always captures the event and many discussions will surely follow in the weeks ahead.

Some comments following the completion of the Air Bear Programme:

"This was the first time many of the children had visited an airport and seen an airplane up close."

"The tour helped the children overcome fears of noise and the mystery about airplanes."

"It sparked interest in a subject that most children thought was only for adults..."

"Teachers enjoyed the experience as much as the children."

"It was an opportunity for children to see up close what they would normally only see on television or in the movies."