WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. –
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – High school, college and Air Force ROTC students deepened their studies in STEM subjects by interning with the 509th Maintenance Group research and engineering workshop in summer.
The interns worked in specialized teams to support the 509th MXG RE not only develops tools and new machines for special operational requirements, but also learns about the requirements and experiences of active military life.
“I learned a lot during our STEM internship,” said Varun Potlury, a U.S. Air Force cadet. “I would say it was definitely an eye-opening experience.”
Lieutenant Ian Roberts, 509th Software developer MXG RE said the interns were divided into three groups based on their skills and fields of study, with each of them working on different projects for the base.
“We all have our main projects that we work on, but some days you just wait for the prints,” said Brayden Kulpa, a junior at Warrensburg High School. “Sometimes we get offered projects and we just take whatever opportunity they give us.”
The projects were diverse and ranged from reverse engineering a fuel pump for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to improving the MXG’s technical data collection to developing special tools for the 509th Aircraft maintenance squadron crew chiefs facilitate the towing of aircraft.
“I highly recommend it to anyone who is old enough to do it,” said Drew Fundaburg, a junior at Warrensburg High School. “It’s beneficial to you and from what I’ve seen, it’s beneficial to the people here as well.”
The interns were able to not only work on important projects, but also participate in numerous programs and activities at Whiteman AFB.
“Being able to be a part of STEM Fest was stressful, but it was also cool to actually be able to help and see that so many people were interested,” said Rochelle Elkes, a student at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
As the school year begins and the MXG RE program ends, interns can use the skills and knowledge they have acquired to build a solid foundation for their future careers in STEM and perhaps the Air Force.
