Purdue and the United States Space Force are collaborating to introduce high school students to careers in aviation and space. Students will spend a week on campus this summer to gain practical experience in Purdue Polytechnic’s four major aviation fields, including management, engineering technology, unmanned systems, and flight. The School of Aviation and Transportation Technology is collaborating with other Purdue offices on the inaugural program.

The public is invited to attend the 5th annual Aviation Community Day at the Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, a free, family-friendly event. Pilot a flight simulator, tour the school and facility, and climb aboard aircraft on display for photos in the cockpit.

Area high school students got to learn about the latest and greatest innovations in robotics from Purdue Polytechnic's very own SMART Lab. As part of the week-long program, they got to pick the brains of faculty and research staff, even learning how Purdue's familiar delivery robots manage to stay on target and not get lost around campus.

The 2023 edition of Purdue Aviation Day will feature presentations by a Navy test pilot and United Airlines captain, both of whom are Purdue alums, plus a demonstration by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights, a world-renowned team of skilled parachuters. Commercial and military aircraft will also be on display. The free, family-friendly event takes place Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Purdue University Airport.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Julie LaGrange learned that battling cancer can be a cold, isolated experience. Now a cancer survivor, LaGrange created We Fight Together, a non-profit organization that delivers care packages of blankets, lotions and other small comforts with a handwritten letter to current patients. An outpouring of love and surprise donations from LaGrange’s colleagues are helping We Fight Together to build a community around one message: “You’re not alone.”

Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute and the School of Mechanical Engineering are collaborating to offer Purdue Motorsports’ evGrandPrix program for Indiana high schools, a STEM-rich experience that uses a race competition with electrically powered go-karts to encourage students to consider pursuing either an engineering technology or engineering degree. The season’s first “Test and Tune” event at Allison Transmission in Indianapolis will give high school students a chance to test their electric go-karts and learn firsthand from Allison engineers about future career opportunities.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Andrea Fay Barber-Dansby received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service.

Purdue Polytechnic and Purdue Motorsports partnered to host “Test and Tune,” an event for high school students to test and improve their electric go-karts, last month at Purdue Polytechnic South Bend. The event provided high school go-kart teams a chance to practice for the Purdue evGrand Prix.

The Food Engineer Adventure summer camp offered in June by Purdue Polytechnic Anderson helped introduce kids to STEM education and career opportunities in the food sector. Participants learned about the food supply chain through hands-on activities, a field trip to a local farm, building an indoor garden, meal budgeting and shopping and a food challenge competition.

A STEM enrichment program offered through a partnership between Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and the Sistas of Royalty, a mentoring program, is building interest in attending college amongst sixth grade girls in the Anderson area.