Tuesday to Thursday last week I was lucky enough to attend the Aotearoa Aerospace Academy : Mission to Aerospace Camp that invited students from all over Aotearoa to come to Ōtautahi to gain an insight into aerospace.

During the camp we learnt about the theory of flight and origins of the universe, and went on an interesting visit to Air New Zealand's maintenance and engineering facility where we got to learn about how engines work and how they fix and repair them.

We also learnt about the wonders of space exploration through NASA’s Artemis project, moon exploration and the future of lunar visits. We were taken on a fascinating site visit to Pratt & Whitney (Air New Zealand), where we got to gain an insight into aerospace engineering and futuristic technology in the industry.

On our final day, we got to take part in a Mars robotics build alongside the kind team from Imagination Station, sparking our creativity and engineering skills. Next, a visit to the University of Canterbury and UC Aerospace, where they introduced us to different pathways in aerospace, helping us envision our future careers. Finally, we finished on a high note with flight training at the Canterbury Aero Club, where we got to pilot a plane ourselves. 

Georgia Erickson 9OXA