On Friday, Aug. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Michigan University's GameAbove College of Engineering & Technology, in collaboration with STEM Flights, will host its fifth annual Aerospace Day at Willow Run Airport.
STEM Flights is a nonprofit organization founded by retired Brigadier General Dave Brubaker to introduce middle and high school students to careers in aviation and aerospace.
After retiring from a 34-year career in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard, Brubaker continued his passion for flying by taking those who showed interest in flying, such as family, friends and even strangers, on plane rides.
Later, Brubaker heard from a friend that their daughter was taking flying lessons and would soon attend pilot training because of her past flying experiences with him. Brubaker heard similar stories from others. Then he realized individual experiences contribute to shaping people’s careers and that STEM Flights could play a role in that.
Aerospace Day is a free event designed to introduce high school students across Michigan to careers in aerospace and aviation through a full day of hands-on activities and interactions with industry professionals.
STEM Flights Director of Development Carley Walker reflects on the growth Aerospace Day has experienced over the years.
“I think there was 20 kids there the first year. We started to see year after year those numbers just growing and growing and here we are 5 years later. We have over 100 students registered and they’re coming from all the local high school districts,” said Walker. “These students are really opted in, meaning they have interests in aerospace or aviation careers. They have interest in potentially attending EMU and learning about the aviation program at EMU and they’re going to have a fantastic day of meeting all those right people and the aerospace vendors that are going to be there with us.”
The event will kick off with students arriving and hearing from keynote speakers such as Doug Kalitta of Kalitta Charters, an American cargo airline.
Students will then break into groups led by EMU aviation student volunteers. This will give them the chance to hear about EMU’s aerospace and aviation program through firsthand experiences.
Allison Steffe, a senior at EMU majoring in Aviation Flight Technology, values the close community and curriculum EMU offers.
“It’s definitely a small program, so everybody knows everybody, but it's super great because you get to know the other people in your program and get to collaborate and study together. You’re with each other throughout each step of your training. It's a good support system for sure,” said Steffe. “The classes themselves, they really prepare you for what you're learning in your flight lessons and help prepare you for real world scenarios.”
Soon after, the students' itineraries will split, and they will get the chance to visit the Michigan Aviation Museum, tour the Kalitta Air facility to learn about the careers it offers and enjoy a free lunch.
Students will get the chance to participate in simulator flights, tour static aircraft displays and partake in flight experiences.
They will also get to engage with over 15 vendors from aerospace, aviation, local Civil Air Patrol and aviation maintenance organizations located inside the hangar. The vendors will introduce students to internships, career opportunities, swag and giveaways.
Walker explains the takeaways she wants students to gain from Aerospace Day, along with how the event prepares them for success.
“My hope is that students leave understanding how to pursue aviation and aerospace, either education, local programs, or higher education and careers. So, aviation is a very small and niche type of career and educational study and this day is really gonna give those students a very clear pathway in how they can enter the aerospace and aviation world,” Walker said. “Whether they are interested in flight training, airport management, avionics, or computer science and engineering, any type of career that touches aerospace, we want to make sure the students have that information, what their next step is, and how they can pursue it, and we want to make sure that’s very clear to all of our attendees.”
Aviation Flight Technology Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor Chris Sorenson has been involved in EMU’s aviation program for nearly 20 years. He emphasized the importance of students attending Aerospace Day to connect with industry professionals and ask questions.
“I think one of the biggest things of the event is not the plane rides and all the hands-on things. Those are fun, but it's meeting the people that you'll be working with. Whether that be flight instructors, professors, or people from the industry, because there's people from the industries as well too,” Sorenson said. “Talk to those people, ask questions about the way of life and how things are.”
Sorenson highlighted what students in EMU’s aviation program gain from their studies.
“We are in a growing industry that is thriving right now. I mean, there is very high job security. That's going to be in the future. But I think one of the things, you know, taking away from it as they're training, is growing into a high level of responsibility early. I mean, you're responsible for a plane and passengers, flight planning, and airspace system. There's a lot going on and it teaches responsibility and professionalism very early in someone's collegiate career," he said.
For more information and to register, visit STEM Flights website or email info@stemflights.org.
