DIY Innovator conference promotes student involvement in aerospace

Nov. 4, 2013

Toronto Students for the Advancement of Aerospace’s (TSAA) hosted a conference on the theme ‘The DIY Innovator’ in late October, attracting a strong selection of perspectives on the industry’s leading issues and opportunities. The conference featured talks from renowned leaders in the aerospace industry, including Cameron Robertson — one of the recent winners of the Sikorsky Prize.

Cameron Robertson, one of the recent winners of the Sikorsky Prize for the human powered helicopter, discussing what led him and his team to accomplish one of engineering’s greatest challenges. — Cameron Robertson, one of the recent winners of the Sikorsky Prize for the human powered helicopter, discusses what led him and his team to accomplish one of engineering’s greatest challenges.

Robertson opened the weekend with a talk on diverting from the norm to tackle the impossible. His enthusiasm on Friday was met throughout the three-day program by entrepreneurs, military leaders and garage rocket scientists alike. Students learned that:

Accessing space is now more economically feasible and open to the public than ever before through the advent of nanosatellites.
Find out more: NanoSatisfi and OpenCube
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are one of the fastest growing sectors within the aviation industry with a huge opportunity for startups and research
Find out more: Work by Dr. Angela Schoellig
Institutional innovation in the aerospace industry is hindered by the roles large organizations must play in Canada’s economic and political frame; the door has been left open for the DIY innovator. Adam Trumpour, who graduated from the Aerospace option from Engineering Science is a perfect example who leveraged his experience in building liquid rocket engines in his backyard to land a job with Pratt & Whitney.

Both industry professionals and students were present and eager to learn at Friday’s reception.

For students keen to get involved in aerospace, the University of Toronto Aeronautics Team (UTAT) is a great place to start. ECE students are strongly represented in the club, more than 20 strong. Featuring an award-winning UAV team, an ambitious Rocketry division, and a highly capable Powered Flight section, UTAT looks to improve on its performance last year as the teams compete both in Canada and internationally. And in September 2014, UTAT intends to tackle designing for space.

A multidisciplinary team, UTAT is currently has openings for new members interested in event planning, web development, business administration, media management, marketing and more.

The TSAA is a joint initiative between the University of Toronto and Ryerson University and would like to thank the speakers, attendees and facilitators that contributed to the weekend’s success.

Find more information online:

Toronto Students for the Advancement of Aerospace (TSAA)

University of Toronto Aeronautics Team (UTAT)

(With files from Ashis Ghosh, University of Toronto Aeronautics Team)