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STEM and entrepreneurship to improve the customer journey of air travelers

On 2-3 March 2021, JA Europe partnered with Boeing for the first-ever Online Innovation Camp with the objective to spark curiosity and foster long-term interest in STEM education. The initiative focused on promoting innovation and digital skills by providing an opportunity for students to come up with new and creative solutions in the aviation sector, considering also the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

A total of 45 students from Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands were selected to participate in the online innovation camp. The challenge they received was to use a combination of STEM skills and entrepreneurship to come up with an innovative product or service that will improve the “customer journey” of the air traveler in 2021. Over two days, the 9 teams of talented students worked online with business mentors from Boeing and presented their solutions to a high-level jury.

The winning team from Luxembourg was called AirHeads Lux. They impressed the jury with their proposal to revolutionize the passenger experience by altering the interior design of the aircraft as to provide more storage space in front of each seat. In addition, AirHeads Lux proposed the installation of delivery robots on board which would help monitor aisle traffic, available during the entire flight to decrease workload from stewards. The second place was awarded to Lux Aviators, also from Luxembourg, and The Big Boeing Theory from Belgium came in third.

Salvatore Nigro, CEO JA Europe, said that “entrepreneurship is a great way to put STEM sills into practice. The Online Innovation Camp in partnership with Boeing has allowed us to show to even more young people the benefits of STEM education and the prospects of a STEM-related career, particularly in the aviation sector. I trust many of the innovations presented over the last couple days will go on to become successful products, services and companies.”

"All JA Europe teams showed true original thinking during the design challenge, and it was difficult to choose an overall winner. I hope the students take this experience forward to help them pursue their passions and career paths. Just like Boeing engineers, the teams drew on a combination of creative and technical attributes to find solutions, which are the skills Boeing looks for in tomorrow’s innovators", said Dan Abraham, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing Europe, Israel, and Morocco at Boeing.

About JA Europe

JA Europe is the largest non-profit in Europe dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. JA Europe is a member of JA Worldwide® which for 100 years has delivered hands on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. JA creates pathways for employability, job creation and financial success. Last school year, the JA network in Europe reached almost 4 million young people across 40 countries with the support of nearly 100,000 business volunteers and over 140,000 teachers/educators.

About Boeing

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. The company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries, leveraging the talents of a global supplier base. Boeing directly employs more than 5,500 talented people across Europe. The company has delivered 4,600 commercial aircraft to more than 130 European customers in the last 60 years and Boeing’s advanced defense platforms are in service with 23 European armed forces. In addition, Boeing provides unparalleled aerospace services to more than 350 European customers.

Boeing Europe is strengthening its presence by investing in new facilities and leading-edge research as well as through advancing educational, environmental and social programmes that support the European Union’s long-term goals. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.