A record-breaking 675 aspiring aviators and STEM enthusiasts attended Girls in Aviation Day at the Lone Star Flight Museum on Saturday, September 20, in Houston. The event welcomed 391 young participants ages 8 to 17, accompanied by nearly 300 family members, scout leaders, and group chaperones for a day filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and tours of more than 15 personal, military, and historic aircraft.

Girls in Aviation Day, launched by Women in Aviation International in 2015, aims to inspire girls to pursue careers in aviation and STEM fields. The Lone Star Flight Museum has hosted the event for eight consecutive years. Attendees experienced drone training, STEM carts, flight simulators, and STEM-focused exhibits, while a career and college fair highlighted opportunities from 25 aerospace companies, schools, and organizations.

The day also featured a luncheon and panel discussion with female leaders in STEM and aerospace, including Captain Michelle Boeding of United Airlines, Maria “Majo” Perdomo Cuevas of Million Air, Sarah Duggleby of Venus Aerospace, and Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, former NASA astronaut and aerospace engineering professor at Texas A&M University. The panel was moderated by Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, president of West Houston Airport and chair of the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Advisory Committee.

The event was made possible by presenting sponsor ExxonMobil, along with supporting sponsors including ConocoPhillips, Houston Airports, Million Air, Universal Technical Institute, and others, underscoring the community’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of leaders in STEM and aviation.

The Lone Star Flight Museum is a 501(c)(3) aviation museum and STEM learning center located at Ellington Airport. Home to rare and historic aircraft, the museum offers interactive exhibits, flight experiences, and educational programs designed to engage youth in science, technology, engineering, and math. LSFM is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., with tickets starting at $12. More information is available at lonestarflight.org.