What is STEM-based, focused on the workforce of tomorrow, and has inspired nearly one million South Carolina students? The Boeing South Carolina (BSC) DreamLearners program.
The program, started in 2012, was built on bringing local students to BSC to learn about Boeing’s presence in South Carolina and advanced manufacturing. Students are ableto participate in a hands-on group activity, discover different careers at Boeing, and much more. DreamLearners has evolved over the years to support the ever-changing STEM-based curricula across South Carolina and the needs of the community.
Now, the program is adapting once again. With on-site programs postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DreamLearners is now offering virtual options.
Educators can choose from several options, including:
- Virtual DreamLearners, which is hosted by a teammate and includes a virtual tour of BSC and a paper airplane activity;
- Virtual DreamLearners Speakers Bureau, which is hosted by a teammate to explain their career at Boeing, and also includes the option to participate in a STEM-based activity;
- In-Classroom DreamLearners, which can be downloaded by an educator, parent or group leader to conduct the paper airplane activity without the presence of a Boeing teammate.
“We continue to be honored to offer DreamLearners to a growing number of students each year,” said Lane Ballard, vice president and general manager of the 787 program and BSC site leader. “By adding these virtual options, we can expand our reach even further across South Carolina to inspire and encourage students to pursue a STEM-based education and maybe one day join our team.”
As of March 2021, more than 850,000 South Carolina students and community members have participated in DreamLearners. Today’s program is designed to meet the Force and Motion standards for 5th grade students and is available to all students across the state.
Frank Hatten, BSC Education Relations Specialist, has been helping lead the DreamLearners program from the beginning. He is well-known across the state for educating and inspiring youth through his volunteer efforts. He will continue his involvement by facilitating some of the virtual DreamLearners sessions.
For more information about the Virtual DreamLearners programs, click here or the DreamLearners tab.