This year, GVSU and the Padnos College of Engineering have partnered with the GE Aerospace Foundation on the Next Engineers program in Grand Rapids. Next Engineers is a global program that reaches thousands of students annually, bringing hands-on events that allow those students to explore careers, learn new skills, and prepare for future degrees in engineering.

In Grand Rapids, PCE and Next Engineers bring activities to local classrooms, and this week they launched at Pinewood Middle School in Kentwood. Volunteers from GE Aerospace Foundation engaged with over 50 8th grade students in a hands-on engineering design activity. Students were also able to explore engineering careers by talking with GE Aerospace employees about their work.

This is the first step in the partnership between Next Engineers and PCE, which will connect with thousands of local students over the next few years, inspiring the next generation of thinkers.