Page 8 - May2019
P. 8
“So I sat down and came up with the proposed
workshop modules we have now. We want to get
Jelinski hoping Aviation Museum and the word out to teachers that we are able to offer a
Learning Centre will take flight with really good product here that dovetails nicely with
educators, students the curriculum. We are able to provide an
environment where students can take
Tucked away in a rather
nondescript building near theory to reality and it comes alive for them. You
the Saskatoon can talk about aviation history, but this takes it to
International Airport is the another level.
Saskatchewan Aviation “Whether it’s getting on the simulator, kicking the
Museum and Learning tires or the smell of oil from the engines, it has the
Centre. It is not until you wow factor for sure. In a lot of cases the kids, and
Former school principal
go down a narrow even adults, are overwhelmed by what we have for
and aviation aficionado
hallway, adorned with Jim Jelinski wants teachers them to experience here,” he added.
pictures of Saskatchewan
and students to be aware “I like teaching the theory aspect, and I’m able to
aviators from past years,
of what the bring the pilot component into it and tell stories so
Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre has it’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy seeing the light go on
for the kids. That is very validating because for a lot
to offer, and open the door at the far end that you come
to the showpiece of the facility. of them, they don’t know anything about the
aviation history we have in this province.”
This is where you will find quite an impressive collection
While the focus of the Grade 6 module is to review
of aircraft (not all are going to see the skies again mind
you). parts of the plane and the four forces of thrust,
drag, life and gravity, the Grade 10 module includes
As Jim Jelinski readily acknowledged, the mere existence information on the direct and indirect careers that
of this facility is a well-kept secret to the public. It is can come through the aviation industry. Recalling
something the one-time administrator with Greater
for a moment his time as an educator, Jelinski said
Saskatoon Catholic Schools would very much like to two of his former pupils have become pilots and he
remedy. reckons exposure to this well-equipped facility
Since joining the board of directors of the non-profit could also strike a cord for future students.
Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society, he has made it Jelinski said while thus far the school visits have
pretty much a daily part of his routine to the chagrin of
been pretty limited, the reaction afterwards has
his wife he joked.
been extremely positive so he is confident there is a
It is, however, very much a blend of two of his great definite niche with the museum and learning centre
passions–aviation and now increasingly a strong push to in the future.
pass on the province’s rich aviation history to Grades 6 That is why he has become the salesman, noting it
and 10 students. is his hope that when a school group does come
Jelinski noted that when he came on board, the Learning through, they leave wanting to talk to others about
Centre appendage was pretty much in name only since the experience.
none of the other board members had any education- There are big plans for upgrades to the facility with
related experience.
Aviation Weekend scheduled for May 25 and 26
and is seen as the primary fundraiser for starters. In
“There is an appetite out there and we want to get the
the inaugural such event a year ago, they attracted
word out,” Jelinski said. He noted that the focus is 1,500 people and the goal for this year is 5,000.
purposely on what role Saskatchewan has had to play in
aviation as opposed to promoting the sort of military
aircraft that tends to highlight air shows.
