Find out what's happening at AoE: upcoming events + a recap of last month.
SEPTEMBER
AoE ANNIVERSARIES: 6th - Dominic 11th - Pedro |
TEAM BUILDING:
Lunchtime Yoga:
Tuesdays - noon to 1:00pm
9/3 | 9/10 | 9/17 | 9/24
Board Game Lunches:
Fridays - noon to 1:00pm
9/6 | 9/13 | 9/20 | 9/27
Full Team / Project Overview Meeting:
Last Monday of the month - 9:00am
9/30
UPCOMING EVENTS:
COMMUNITY
AoE hosting:
"Breaking Barriers: Women Driving Innovation Across Industry"
a TECH WEEK GR event
Sept. 19th / 8:00am - 10:00am
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
TECH WEEK GR - Student Tech Showcase
Sept. 17th
Jessica is leading this volunteer event - find out how you can help
with this 'hands-on' showcase for area students.
Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
Mentors Needed
The Third Annual Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge (MGFFC) is right around the corner, and we need YOU to help inspire and guide the next generation of female aerospace leaders.
Why Mentor?
As a mentor, you have the unique opportunity to:
Inspire girls to pursue STEM and aerospace careers
Share your journey and experiences in the industry
Provide guidance and feedback on their projects
Encourage them to DREAM BIG
Your Commitment:
A minimum of 2-6 hours between October 12th and November 9th, including:
1. A Mentor info session
2. Attendance at the Kickoff event (optional but encouraged)
3. Participation during final presentations (optional)
4. Working with your assigned group(s) based on your schedule
This is a chance to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of aerospace. If you're passionate about empowering the next generation of women in our industry, we would love to have you as a mentor.
Sign up today and be part of something truly special.
NETWORKING
GVSETS
Aug. 14 - 16th
AoE had another successful exhibit at GVSETS 2024 where we debuted a new backdrop and animated display! Stacy was part of the Digital Engineering panel discussion.
HIGHLIGHTS
Summer Intern
FAREWELL LUNCH
Aug. 7th
In August, we bid farewell to our Summer Interns with a thank you / farewell lunch before they headed back to school. Time really flew by this summer!
WELCOME BACK
Aug. 26th
Raihan Hakim joined the AoE team as a Full-Time engineer and
Jason Kamphuis began his third and final Co-op rotation.
WELCOME ABOARD!
A VISIT FROM
GVSU's new College of Computing Dean
Marouane Kessentini
Aug. 29th
MEET AoE
Getting to know:
Pedro Takayanagui
Q: You came to the U.S. to study at GVSU, tell us where you are from, and why you chose GVSU (Michigan).
I am originally from Brazil. I was born and lived the first 18 years of my life in Ribeirão Preto in the state of São Paulo. My hometown is about three times bigger than Grand Rapids and it never gets colder than 60⁰F.
Being from Brazil, soccer as always been a big part of my life and it was always my goal to study in the US while playing for a university soccer team.
After I finished high school in Brazil, I accepted an offer from University of South Carolina to play for their team and study engineering. Long story short, I injured my knee a month before going to USC and needed surgery to repair my ACL and meniscus. While I ended up not coming to the US that year, I was still determined to achieve my goal. As that was my third knee surgery, I decided that competitive sports would not be part of my college journey.
The year after, my two main college options were GVSU and University of North Florida. From what Google could tell me, both universities and engineering programs were equally good. The main difference was... the weather. At that point of my life, I have never seen snow before and I was tired of the Brazilian all year long summer weather. I was ready to embark on a journey that would allow me to live different experiences that would help me grow and develop.
I then decided to come to Michigan and GVSU where I would be able to see loooots of snow! Looking back, I am happy with my decision to come to Michigan and grateful for the path my life took. Although challenging at times, living abroad has been a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Q: What was your very first job?
A: My first job was at a GVSU dining hall as a student worker. After one semester, I became a student manager, and I worked in this position for a year and a half. It was a valuable experience for me since I supervised a diverse team of students that worked in different stations of the dining hall.
Q: Now that you have graduated and are working Full-time at AoE, how do you spend your free time?
A: I love sports. I usually play and follow basketball, tennis, soccer, and football. When possible, I also enjoy going to watch games live. I also really enjoy traveling and visiting new places. Especially because, most of the time,
traveling means getting to see my family.
Q: Where in Michigan would you like to go that you have never been?
A: I have never been to Mackinac Island and I would love to go as it is an iconic and famous in Michigan. I hope to get a chance to go later this summer!
@ G.R. & WEST MICHIGAN
ART PRIZE
Sept. 13th - Sept. 28th
This is the 14th year Grand Rapids is hosting ArtPrize, the world’s most attended art event. More than 1,600 artists from 42 states and 53 countries will be displaying their work all over downtown Grand Rapids – and visitors decide which artist gets the $125,000 grand prize for their work. ArtPrize 2024 kicks off with a spectacular Opening Celebration featuring three parades, music, mascots, food trucks and an enormous fireworks show on Friday, Sept. 13. From then through Sept. 28, you can view the art, vote for your favorites and enjoy all sorts of related activities – all FREE.
MICHIGAN IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sept. 12th & 13th
Held annually, the Michigan Irish Music Festival features 6 stages of live music, culture, dance, and more. Shop the market, eat at the Celtic Kitchen, sip at The Pub, The Tavern or Grafton Street, and explore the Wee Ones’ activities.
CONFLUENCE FESTIVAL
Sept. 20th - 21st
Each Sept, Confluence welcomes thousands of visitors to downtown Grand Rapids for a voyage of discovery across art, music, science and tech. Our diverse range of programming includes esports, robotics, makers and more. The 2024 festival kicks off with an AI-powered opening night party featuring art, music, tech, fashion and culinary experiences.
Confluence is also the capstone experience for Tech Week GR.
““In many ways, September feels like the busiest time of the year: The kids go back to school, work piles up after the summer’s dog days, and Thanksgiving is suddenly upon us.” — Brene Brown — |
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