CRYSTAL LAKE – Some Crystal Lake fifth-graders are taking part in a nationally recognized educational program that teaches students science, math and geography with the help of a Southwest Airlines pilot.

Through a program called Adopt-A-Pilot, Southwest Airlines pilot Rich Jenkins will visit West Elementary and Canterbury Elementary for the next five weeks, teaching fifth-graders about aviation science, time zones and goal setting, among other lessons.

The lessons are designed to teach students about the aviation industry while also challenging them to solve math and science problems. Students are asked to calculate travel times based on Jenkins’ schedule and are introduced to concepts such as gravity, lift, drag and thrust.