Rochester, MI – The Fourth Annual Michigan Youth Future Flight Challenge (MYFFC) is a statewide virtual aerospace competition for students in grades 4–8. The program provides young learners with opportunities to explore key aerospace concepts and gain insight into potential careers in the field. This year, the judges were so impressed with the submissions that the competition resulted in a first place pize and a tie for second place—leading to two second-place awards being presented instead of a third place winner. The MYFFC is supported by the Women of the Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM) commitee.
The MYFFC kick-offed on October 11th, followed by four weeks of creativity, with final presentations presented November 8th. The mission was to create a unique, sustainable way of flight to solve one of three challenge statements about Community, Space, or the Future – allowing students to apply their passion and interests to STEM while creating their solutions.
This project involved critical thinking in engineering, marketing & design, and business planning & sales. Industry professionals in these areas mentored the student groups assigned to them to answer questions, provide feedback, and teach them about their job in the aerospace industry. We had 19 teams and 19 professional industry mentors from around the state participating in this competition.
On November 8th, teams presented their projects in front of a panel of judges. Their projects were truly outstanding and showed how much an event like this can influence their interest in aerospace! This year, among all the amazing presentations, we had a tie for second place, so two second-place prizes were awarded, preventing a third place prize.
Take a look below for a summary of the winning teams projects.
1st Place, $1000 Prize: Team Sky Scouts – 6th Grade
Team Sky Scouts designed an environmentally sustainable solution that ensures access of medicines to all the residents in MI who live in pharmacy deserts. With their Med Drop Messenger, this team created a drone delivery system designed to deliver OTC and prescription medicines to users who cannot pick them up from the pharmacy due to various challenges.
2nd Place (tie), $600 Prize: Team Nerd Girls – 8th Grade
Team Nerd Girls looked at natural disasters in different communities to create a self-flying drone that uses AI and 360 cameras to locate lost people and pets who are stranded. Their drone captures GPS and visual data which is then processed by AI technology that can pass important information or situations on to be addressed.
2nd Place (tie), $600 Prize: Team The Condors – 4th Grade
Team The Condors designed a hydrogen and biofuel powered aircraft that eliminates the use of fossil fuels, and is accessible with biofuel generators in rural communities. They built upon existing electric and hybrid propulsion vehicles to create their innovative flight solution for a carbon free airline.
Most Creative Honorable Mention, $200 Prize: Team Sweet Power Girls – 4th-8th Grade
Team Sweet Power Girls created a flying car that is solar powered and designed based on their research on biomimicry – using the model of a gecko to help their vehicle grip surfaces, shark skin to keep safe from bacteria, and owl wings so the car can fly smooth and quietly.
Throughout this competition, multiple in-person and online connections between students and industry mentors were made. The students and their mentors will continue to foster these relationships to learn more about the aerospace industry and how they can continue to be a part of it in the future!
WAIAM helps inspire the next generation of creative students who will lead and innovate Michigan’s aerospace industry. By connecting students with industry mentors, WAIAM fuels interest and passion for STEM.
Contact: Dawn Fraylick, Marketing Manager P: (586) 242-6142 E: dawnf@AIAMnow.com |