Purdue University is collaborating with the United States Space Force to introduce high school students to careers in aviation and space.
This summer, about 40 high school students from more than 17 states (including 12 students from Indiana) will spend a week at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus for the inaugural program. Purdue collaborators include the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology in Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, the Office of Summer and Winter Sessions, and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The program will introduce students to unmanned aerial systems, flight operations, air traffic control, and more. On the final day of the program, Space Force Guardians will present information about the space environment, the importance of the space domain, and education and career opportunities with the Space Force.
John Gipson, assistant vice provost for Innovative Educational Pathways at Purdue, said the program aims to prepare students for life after high school, especially high-potential students from inner city schools, rural locations, and those who will be the first in their families to attend college.
Pictured: Purdue University students observe the underside of a plane on Purdue Aviation Day 2022 (photo via Purdue Marketing and Media)
“We had been looking for different opportunities to work with underserved high school students who might not have the same access or exposure to this type of learning,” Gipson said. He added that the opportunity was competitive, with nearly 100 students applying for 40 spots.
Vicki Gilbert, recruiting, placement and internship coordinator for Purdue’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, said one of the biggest benefits for participants will be the hands-on learning that occurs onsite.
“Participants will gain practical experience in our four major aviation areas of management, engineering technology, unmanned systems, and flight,” Gilbert said. “They’ll take classes at the second-busiest airport in Indiana, meet representatives from industry, and learn from our school’s faculty and current students.”
Daniel Castro, dean of Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, said this is a unique opportunity for high school students.
“One of Purdue Polytechnic’s missions is to provide meaningful experiences for high school students,” said Castro. “A week on campus learning about aviation technologies could be the spark that leads them to study here at Purdue and to pursue careers they had not previously dreamt about. But this opportunity is especially exciting because today’s high school students could conceivably become tomorrow’s pioneers in space.”
Pictured: The U.S. Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 4 is seen at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida (photo via Space Force Gallery)
Space Force Col. Kristin Panzenhagen, also a Purdue alumna, said she’s looking forward to the opportunity to connect with Purdue’s Summer College for High School students this year.
“Investing in students, and inspiring interest in STEM, space, and leadership, is important not just for our nation, but also specifically for the Space Force,” she said.
Purdue is one of 14 nationally renowned universities to be selected for the Space Force University Partnership Program based on its world-class space research and professional development opportunities. Together, the Space Force and Purdue are encouraging students to pursue and excel in STEM disciplines, developing a highly skilled and inclusive Space Force workforce, and pursuing research that advances national security objectives in the space domain.
The program will run from June 25-30.
Sources:
Daniel Castro, dean of Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, castro98@purdue.edu
Vicki Gilbert, recruiting, placement and internship coordinator for Purdue’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, vgilbert@purdue.edu
John Gipson, assistant vice provost for Innovative Educational Pathways at Purdue, gipsonj@purdue.edu
Col. Kristin Panzenhagen, United States Space Force, kristin.panzenhagen@spaceforce.mil
Andrea Mattingly
Director of Communication, Student Success Programs, andrea@purdue.edu
