351st ARS pilot shares knowledge, experiences with local primary school children

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refeuling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Local children from Great Heath Primary School, Mildenhall, met an American pilot who spoke about flying and space shuttles Dec. 6.

First Lt. Mark Watson, 351st Air Refueling Squadron, spent the afternoon at the school, joining the children of Willow class during their "Space Week."

Watson spoke to the 9- and 10-year-olds about the history of aviation, why man wanted to fly and how people tried to fly before the invention of aircraft. He also explained principles of lift, pressure and what happens when air goes over an aircraft's wings.

As a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, he talked to the children and acted as a space camp leader during the visit. Because of his expertise in flying, and basic knowledge on how to become an astronaut, Watson was asked to talk to the school children on a variety of topics.

The lieutenant covered aviation history, how gravity affects flight; teamwork, professionalism and how they are interconnected; how physical fitness and diet affects the human body and how important it is for pilots; as well as technology and its use by pilots and astronauts.

"I wanted to do this, because it's a great way to build even stronger relationships between RAF Mildenhall and the local community," Watson said. "My sister is a kindergarten teacher, and I've talked to the children in her class before, but never to a [British] community school."

He said most of the children live near an RAF base, yet they don't really get many opportunities to meet Air Force pilots, and added that speaking to them gives the children gives insight in how Air Force pilots work as a team.

"I hope the videos I've shown inspire them to expand their hopes and dreams," Watson said. "They can overcome barriers, especially if they are humble enough to receive help."

One video the children watched showed footage of the space shuttle Apollo 15 taking off and a lunar pod landing in the ocean.

"I liked watching the videos of the space shuttle," said 10-year-old Kim Partridge. "I learned lots of new things."

They later experimented with a hard-boiled egg, duct tape and drinking straws. Working together in teams, the children came up with inventive ways of protecting the egg.

The pilot said the experiment mimicked the Apollo 15, with "astronauts" inside, and the duct tape and straws would protect the astronauts when it reentered the Earth's orbit and landed in the ocean.

Once the lunar pods were complete, he dropped them from a height of about 8 feet as the primary school children watched, cheering as their particular lunar pod made its landing, all seemingly anxious to see if their "astronaut" made it out safely or not.

"One primary concerns [in] the Suffolk area is raising aspirations for children," said Emily Leslie, teacher at Great Heath Primary School. "Having somebody professional within the classroom, and having immediate contact and dialogue of a very well-respected profession, is a fantastic opportunity for [the children].

"[Lt. Watson] gave a very interesting explanation of aerodynamics and aviation, and when it comes from somebody with a passion about it, it's imparted more easily than if it came from somebody who learned it from the internet," she said. "It's been wonderful having him here, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed the experience."