[Sydneyfonzi]

Reach for the sky

Thai children get valuable experience in understanding aircraft and how to design, plan, build, fly and maintain them in a unique Chiang Mai project

Is building a four-seater aircraft a bit too ambitious for schoolchildren? The answer is a resounding "No" according to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), as it believes the challenge is the perfect way to instil an "inventor's inspiration" in young Thais.

"We are going to prove that Thai children are up to the task," NSTDA Technology Management Centre deputy director Dr Sawat Tantiphanwadi said yesterday.

He is in charge of the "Aviation and Space Camp" project, which has a Bt4 million operating budget and will run for three years.

"Thai children are as competent as American, Japanese and Russian children," Sawat insisted.

According to Sawat, the three-year project will provide good training for youngsters who could become top scientists and engineers in the future. Aside from gaining engineering knowledge, the participators will learn to think, ask questions and plan.

The Aviation and Space Camp has bought the copyright of the Cozy Mark IV aircraft and the children will not just build this four-seater aircraft - but make sure it can fly.

"I will be very proud," said Kitinun Tuntiwong, a 16-year-old student from Triam Udom Suksa School, at the thought of seeing his creation fly.

"I always wanted to be an engineer," the boy added.

Sutinee Chumanakit, also from Triam Udom Suksa School, said it will be fun to learn how to build the aircraft.

"I used to think that such a task was too difficult for me. But now that I have joined this camp, I have stopped thinking that way. Now I feel that if we are determined enough, we will be able to accomplish this task," she said.

The schoolgirl was also happy that the camp allowed her to practice with screwdrivers, saws and drills. "Don't think that these tools are just for boys or men," Sutinee said.

Pawin Panijayanond, 15, said he was now a step closer to his dream of becoming a pilot. "I love everything about aircraft. I believe I will learn a lot of things from these projects," he said.

According to Sawat, the Aviation and Space Camp project will select participants based on the level of learning required for each step of the aircraft's construction. For the first year, the project will select 50 students from five schools based on their understanding of physics.

There will be five groups of participating students this year. Each group comprises 10 members.

Triam Udom Suksa School, Samsen Wittayalai School, Wat Bavorn Niwet School, Chulalongkorn University's demonstration school, and Mahidol Wittayanusorn School will each have 10 students at the camp.

"The first year will be about constructing the body and other sections of the aircraft," Sawat said. The second and third years would involve installing the electrical systems and focusing on the engine.

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation