Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America recently hosted a STEM event for 550 Moses Lake High School ninth graders in Washington State. On May 16, the students participated in Mitsubishi’s Reach for the Stars with STEM program, held with Big Bend Community College. The one-day program involved speakers such as astronaut Wendy Lawrence, as well as video messages from Senator Patty Murray (D), Senator Maria Cantwell (D) and Governor Jay Inslee. The goal of the event was to inspire students to pursue a career in the STEM field.

The day started with students visiting the Port of Moses Lake at Grant County International Airport. Mitsubishi had a few aircraft on display, such as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet. Some students toured the aircraft and spoke with pilots and other members of the program.

Later in the day, students visited college booths hosted by representatives from Central Washington University, Washington State University, WSU Tri-Cities, Big Bend Community College and others to learn about their STEM programs. They were also able to speak to the representatives about opportunities of pursuing higher education in general.

At a VIP reception at the end of the day, senior advisor and former president of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America Hiromichi “Mitch” Morimoto received the “Honorary Citizen of the State of Washington” award from John Thorquist, head of Washington’s Office of Aerospace. Hitoshi “Hank” Iwasa, head of the Mitsubishi Flight Center, gave a speech thanking the presenters and the students for participating.

“This STEM event is a way for Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America to give back and benefit the community,” Iwasa told AIN.  “Since being in Washington State, we’ve seen how important STEM education is, and we want to continue to promote it throughout the region. Through the Reach for the Stars STEM event, we want to expose local students to the importance of STEM education, and we want to show them the opportunities that are right in their own backyard.”