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RDP Helping Young Women Soar to New Heights at Local Aviation and STEM Event

Sep 23, 2024
Program_Aviation Certificate

This past weekend at the Girls in Aviation event, Red Deer Polytechnic faculty, staff and alum were excited to showcase our STEM and aviation-related programs and applied research opportunities. The Girls in Aviation Alberta Day is a premier event dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women to explore careers in aviation and aerospace.  

This annual event brings together industry professionals, educational institutions and aviation enthusiasts from more than 30 Alberta organizations to provide a hands-on, immersive experience focused on exploring the world of aviation. The tradeshow aims to spark interest in aviation careers among girls and young women, providing them with the resources and connections necessary to pursue their dreams in this dynamic field. 

“Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to empowering the next generation of women to explore careers in aviation and STEM,” says Lindsay Engel, Vice President Academic and Student Experience.  

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A woman wears a VR headset and holds controls in front of a RDP booth

 

RDP’s booth was a hub of innovation and learning, designed to engage visitors with a variety of interactive and educational experiences. Some key features at the RDP booth included program demonstrations, an overview of the Polytechnic's Red Hot Science Program and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences.  

The VR experiences allowed visitors to experience aviation technology and STEM applications in a compelling and hands-on way. This immersive experience aimed to highlight the exciting possibilities within the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

“By fostering innovation and providing opportunities for hands-on learning, we’re inspiring young women to break barriers, lead in these fields and shape a brighter future for Alberta and beyond,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research.  

This year marks the 10th Annual Girls in Aviation Day which is a worldwide event that saw over 30,000 people attend the tradeshow in 31 different countries in 2023. Red Deer Polytechnic has been proud to participate in this event for many years, showcasing our industry-relevant programs, training and applied research opportunities.