NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Plot Captain Lee Gait, 24, embarked upon a 16-day aerospace STEM flight expedition, and to the delight of local young aspiring aviators, his first stop was in New Providence.
His Twin Engine Aircraft is a flying laboratory and library known as the “Spirit of Science,” filled with gifts of school supplies, technology devices, books, telescopes, and lab equipment for teachers and students.
The arrival of Captain Giat was marked by a 30-minute welcome ceremony held on December 4, 2022 at New Providence Community Church on Blake Road, which was followed by a stargazing and educational session with students.
The historic touchdown in New Providence signaled the official launch of Akhepran’s Aerospace, Aviation, STEM & Climate Change Awareness Campaign. Several activities have been planned to commemorate International Civil Aviation Day, which is held annually on December 7, as proclaimed in 1996 by the United Nations General Assembly.
This initiative is an immediate response by Akhepran students who attended the Conference of Parties COP27 and Conference of Youth COY17 Climate Change meetings in Egypt from October 31 to November 18, 2022. During the meetings, students were encouraged to become advocates for the environment, space, and the planet. They were also encouraged to participate in the promotion of public education programs and reminded of the Sustainable Development Global Goals Agenda 2030.
Students who benefitted from the event included Berkley Rolle, a 12th grade student who left his family in Exuma and relocated to New Providence to attend Akhepran International Academy Aviation Program because his career path is to become a pilot.
Jaden Mackey, president of the Akhepran Ambassadors Youth Climate Change Non Profit Organization, gave a speech on behalf of the students. He stated that “our planet has a fever and we will all become sick if young people do not speak out against pollution of our air, land and seas”. Akhepran Aviation student Nyahjah Albury was also among the eager learners learning from Captain Gates.
This feat is being made possible thanks to PASSAGE, a non-profit organization based in the USA, which partnered with local organisations to help expose young Bahamians to the wonders of science, aviation and aerospace. PASSAGE was able to bring the campaign to The Bahamas thanks to Akhepran International Academy’s Aviation Department, in conjunction with the Royal Police Force Aviation Department, Civil Society Bahamas and other partners.
With the Bahamas trip under his belt, Captain Gait will continue his conquest, flying solo to several other Caribbean and Latin American countries. The Spirit of Science flying laboratory and library will also touch Jacmel, Haiti; Port au Prince, Haiti; Kingston, Jamaica; Mandeville, Jamaica; Barranquilla, Colombia; Duitama, Colombia; Lima, Peru; Jujuy, Argentia; and Santiago, Chile.
