Advocacy. Education. Visibility.

The Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM) actively works to create advocacy, education, and visibility for women and girls in aerospace across Michigan. WAIAM strives to support all platforms and promote advancement for women within the industry through outreach mentorship and representation

Programs

Third Annual Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge (MGFFC)

October 12th – November 9th, 2024

24 teams, 77 students, 27 mentors, 21 industry judges, 27 companies

A virtual statewide competition for girls in grades 4-8, participants were tasked with developing a sustainable flight solution related to Earth, Space, or the Future. The project involved engineering, marketing, design, and business planning, with mentorship from female aerospace professionals who provided support, feedback, and insights throughout the process.

Throughout the last three years, MGFFC has impacted 245 students and 57 mentors from 30 Michigan companies. You can find more details on MGFFC & the 2025 winners included in the document here.

She Innovates, She Leads: Inspiring Change for a Sustainable World

Saturday, May 18th – GVSU Design & Innovation Center

18 mentors, 18 companies/organizations, 39 students

She Innovates, She Leads included career exploration workshops for 9th-12th grade girls in Michigan. This event was held in partnership with Girl Scouts Michigan Shore to Shore, Women in Manufacturing Western Michigan Chapter, MiSTEM Network’s Greater West Michigan Region, and Grand Valley State University.

WAIAM gathered with students and mentors coming from leadership and STEM fields, focused on sustainability. This event exposed high school students to diverse careers in Michigan, led by their passions, and pathways towards sustainability! WAIAM is excited to continue this event in 2025.

Outreach

Building networks and relationships with other affinity groups in the aerospace industry in Michigan to promote women in the talent pipeline, from K-12 and beyond.

Mentorship

Providing access, resources and a support network for both girls interested in aerospace and women already working in the industry.

representation

Recognizing the role that women already play in aerospace and provide visibility of those roles and pathways for future generations.

Connecting through engaging and inspiring events

She Innovates She Leads: Inspiring Change for a sutainable world

In partnership with the above organizations, WAIAM hosted the in-person career exploration workshop for rising 9th-12th grade girls featuring four rotating panels of professional women in leadership and STEM fields, with a GVSU collegiate panel at the end of the event. Our mission is to expose and inspire the participating high school students to the diversity of amazing careers in Michigan, led by their passions, and to learn about pathways that contribute towards sustainability!

third annual michigan girls future flight challenge

The Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge was October 12th-November 9th, 2024!

The Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge is a virtual, state-wide group competition for girls in 4th-8th grade. The goal is to create a unique way of flight to solve a problem.

onward peer coaching mastermind workshop

WAIAM had the opportunity to be an event partner along with The Right Place, Inc. to bring the ONWARD workshop to Michigan. Through events like this, WAIAM is actively working to support women in the aerospace industry through peer mentorship.

Second annual Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge

WAIAM continued the Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge in 2023 aiming to foster mentor relationships between young girls and women in aerospace in Michigan. The event attracted 78 students and 32 women industry mentors from over 29 cities across Michigan.

WAIAM Internal Luncheon

WAIAM’s first bi-annual luncheon of 2023 in Lansing, MI was a great way to get together, forge some new connections, and gain valuable tips from other women in the industry.

Women's Aviation Career Symposium

WAIAM exhibited and was a “Silver Sponsor” at the 5th Annual Women’s Aviation Career Symposium at Western Michigan University on March 18th!

WAIAM Internal Luncheon

WAIAM’s most recent internal luncheon was a success! Several ladies from AIAM got together in Petoskey, MI for lunch, an afternoon of networking, and discussions on the future of WAIAM.

Macomb County Girl Scouts Space Camp

On July 20th, 2022, WAIAM volunteers attended the Macomb County Girl Scouts Space Camp and helped 41 girls, aged 6-14, earn their Stem Career Exploration Badge.

Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge

In April of 2022, WAIAM launched the Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge— a virtual state-wide aerospace competition spanning over four weeks.

Women of Aerospace Virtual Event

Together with FIRST in Michigan, WAIAM hosted the Women of Aerospace virtual seminar for girls of all ages on May 15th, 2021. Presenters featured working women from NASA and many Michigan-based companies.

Professional Resources

Building networks and relationships with other affinity groups in the aerospace industry in Michigan to promote women in the talent pipeline, from K-12 and beyond.