Career curiosity and female participation soar at SAIT's youth aviation event
Calgary junior high students got hands-on exploring career pathways in fields such as aircraft maintenance, avionics and drone technology
Spirits were high and dreams took flight at SAIT’s second annual Exploring Aviation Day — an event introducing Calgary junior high students to aviation-related education pathways and career opportunities through interactive learning experiences.
To learn about working with aircraft, you have to be around them. That’s why the career exploration event took place at the Art Smith Aero Centre, SAIT’s 13-acre learning facility at the Calgary International Airport, featuring a 21,000-square-foot hangar and specialized labs for sheet metal, gas turbines, helicopters and more.
Getting hands-on with rivets, electronics and drones
To get a sense of the many opportunities available in aviation, students rotated through hands-on stations focused on aircraft maintenance, structures, avionics and drone technology. Activities ranged from using rivets to join the pieces of an aircraft to soldering their own electronic metal insects in a lesson in avionics (the electronic systems and equipment used in aircraft).
Students saw first-hand how aircraft engines run and even participated in a drone demonstration to see remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) technology in action.
“Events like Exploring Aviation Day are all about giving youth meaningful, hands-on experiences that help them feel confident and excited about what their future could look like,” says Ashley Vu, Program Coordinator, Youth Initiatives.
“These engaging and welcoming environments invite students to show up as they are, regardless of where they are in their career exploration journey. Post-event survey results consistently show that these exploratory events spark genuine excitement and curiosity among students. That curiosity often becomes the first step toward more intentional and confident career planning, encouraging students to explore the education options available to them.”
In the hangar, students participated in an industry showcase, meeting aviation professionals and asking career questions. One of the industry partners in attendance was YYC Airports, exclusive sponsor of this year’s Exploring Aviation Day.
Careers that take you to new heights
Explore SAIT’s aviation programs — from Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology to remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
Female attendance takes flight
Created with a goal of encouraging female interest in aviation, more than half of the event’s attendees were girls.
“It’s important to ensure representation of females at events like this to help encourage more females to pursue program and career pathways which they may not have previously considered,” says Vu.
“Our 54% female attendance rate at this event reinforces the importance of creating intentional opportunities that support women and girls who are interested in the trades and aviation industry.”
As part of the event, Stephanie Hogewoning — Academic Chair in the School of Transportation and a graduate of SAIT’s Avionics Technology program — shared her own experiences on how rewarding a career in the aviation industry can be.
Support for women in the trades
Explore barrier-breaking events and wraparound supports available through SAIT’s Women in Skilled Trades Retention Program.
What students had to say
Seeing planes up close and learning something new? Best field trip ever. The students we surveyed agreed.
The aircraft maintenance activity really changed my POV!
Youth attendee
Working in aviation and airports offers more job opportunities than I expected.
Youth attendee
I learned that at SAIT there is so much to explore and take instead of working at a desk.
Youth attendee
Youth programs at SAIT
Exploring Aviation Day is part of SAIT Youth Initiatives’ lineup of exploratory events. Find out how we’re educating, empowering and exciting young minds.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.