Leela Brown inspiring the next generation

• Published date: 16 April 2024
• Author: Mike Dinsdale
• Publication title: Northland Age, The

Communications and information systems technician Brown was excited to be “passing it forward” in her home region to promote the technology side of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)

Aircraftman Brown is part of a roadshow travelling to Northland schools to run interactive Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities for students. The team will be teaching basic theory of flight and fostering interest in aviation STEM.

It’s the first time the team has gone to Northland, with visits last week to Kawakawa Primary, which also had students from Karetu School involved; Kerikeri High School and Kaikohe Intermediate.

Brown comes from even further north at Taipa, Doubtless Bay, where she attended Mangonui Primary and then Kaitāia College.

She joined the Air Force as an 18-year-old in 2022 as a communication and information systems mechanic.

“I had been thinking about joining the Air Force all through high school,” she said.

“I got the opportunity to be part of a School to Skies wāhine camp as a Year 13 student, spending a week at RNZAF Base Auckland. I’ve experienced first-hand how helpful the School to Skies programme can be for students.”

School to Skies is a technology and aviation camp open to girls in Year 13 who are engaged in STEM studies.

“I was unsure about study at university and joining the Air Force gave me the opportunity to get paid to learn, as well as the option to pick up study in the future funded through Defence,” Brown said.

“My experience on School...