February 9, 2023
How many of us can say that from a young age, we knew what we wanted to do when we grew up? Aspiring engineer Lauren Maksimovich can. For her, the seed was planted when she visited the Royal Aviation Museum as a child.
“I have so many memories from this museum. Sitting in the cockpit and learning about planes sparked an interest,” Lauren recalls. “Since then, I knew I wanted to work on aircraft.”
Now a mechanical engineering co-op student in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba, Lauren is well on her way to that career. And she’s making the most of her time at UM with practical applications of classroom learning through the UMSAE Aero team.
UMSAE is a non-profit, student-led organization in the Price Faculty of Engineering. UMSAE is made up of four distinct design teams: Aero, Baja, Formula Electric, and Formula IC. Each team provides post-secondary students with unique, fast-paced, and hands-on experiences, allowing them to develop design, manufacturing, and team-building skills.
UM’s Aero team, Polar Air, designs and builds airplanes to compete internationally at the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Aero Design Competition.
Lauren is currently the Design Supervisor on the UMSAE Aero team. She’s also served as the Micro Wing Lead, and in their most recent competition, as the Empennage Lead. In this role, she was responsible for the design, testing, and optimization of the aircraft empennage (tail assembly). She also evaluated various aircraft configurations based on aircraft performance characteristics and manufacturability through theoretical and prototype testing.
For the 2022 competition, Lauren and her teammates were tasked with designing an aircraft to carry at least one soccer ball. Among other constraints, the aircraft also had to have a maximum wingspan of 304 cm, a maximum takeoff distance of 122 m, and be powered by a single electric motor limited to 1000W. Overall, the team’s aircraft won second place after facing competition from around the world.
There are some skills that are much easier to practice once you begin applying classroom knowledge to real-life situations, such as the SAE Aero Design Competition. Skills like perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. An experience like this is a real advantage when it comes time to enter the workforce.
The Price Faculty’s co-op program is another great way to gain hands-on experience before graduation. Lauren has done placements with Manitoba Hydro and the Department of National Defence at 17 Wing in Winnipeg. There, she worked to support the airworthiness of the 402 Squadron’s four CT-142 aircraft (Dash 8’s).
Ellyn Waschuk, a UM Mechanical Engineering alumnus and former Polar Air team member, was also a co-op student before graduating in 2019. She had placements at Magellan, Winpak, and Boeing, and now works for Boeing in Winnipeg as an Automation Engineer.
She says being involved in extracurricular activities such as Aero sets students apart and gives them a competitive advantage. In addition to all the experience she gained while earning her degree, she also developed lifelong friendships with fellow team members.
Our museum has gone through a transformation since Lauren visited as a child and there’s even more to inspire young minds now. From our Mechanic’s Workshop where visitors can engage with engine simulators and aircraft components, to our Science of Flight zone where the four forces of flight are explained, there’s much to learn. And thanks to our STEM-based educational programs for school groups, we’re able to provide inspiring, in-depth lessons for students about the science and technologies of the aviation and aerospace industries.
David Lipnowski photo
Lauren hopes to work in the aviation industry after graduating next year. We can’t wait to see the impact she ends up making.
If you’re interested in learning more about the UMSAE Aero team and seeing some of their competition aircraft, visit their exhibit in our temporary gallery.
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