How WBI’s Summer of Innovation Builds Future Leaders in Defense, Industry, and Academia

Each summer, the Wright Brothers Institute’s Summer of Innovation (SoI) program becomes a launchpad—one where high school students not only explore technical fields but gain critical skills that shape their futures and the future of our national innovation ecosystem. Running from June 9, 2025 to July 18, 2025, the program is based at WBI's 5000 Springfield Street location in Dayton, Ohio, and includes site visits to regional companies and universities throughout southwestern Ohio. This year, 16 high school interns representing the Greater Dayton areas will participate in hands-on programming that bridges technical skill-building and experiential education. With a curriculum rooted in real-world challenges and soft-skill development, SoI is preparing the next generation to lead in defense, industry, and academia.

Just ask Brian Yamada, an engineering design major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a first-year mentor who once stood in the same shoes as today’s participants. A graduate of Beavercreek High School in Dayton, Brian’s SoI experience was so positive that he was eager to continue as a mentor. “When you are a perfect fit for a special project and get passed over in favor of someone less technically proficient but with stronger soft skills, it’s a wake-up call,” Brian said. “Your network is important, and the sooner you get out of your comfort zone and connect with people, the more exciting opportunities you’ll find.”

Summer of Innovation Mentor, Owen Fors talks, about the impact of the program for student participants.

That’s the heart of SoI’s mission—blending technical excellence with real-world preparedness.

Owen Fors, a second-year mentor and mechanical engineering major at the University of Dayton, knows first-hand how impactful a flexible, adaptive curriculum can be. Like Brian, he is a Beavercreek graduate. Drawing from his previous experience, Owen revamped a CAD software module that delivered more hands-on engagement and energized students.

“SoI has really given me a teaching experience I can apply elsewhere,” said Fors. “Understanding how others learn has given me a deeper appreciation for diversity of thought.”

That “diversity of thought” is a foundational principle of the program. Students tackle real-world projects that span disciplines like cybersecurity, healthcare, and legal technology. Working with mentors and instructors from Sinclair College, they dig into data analytics, project management, and even financial literacy—including creating and managing mock budgets. These skills are key to building strategic thinkers who can lead complex missions.

Summer of Innovation mentors share their thoughts on the student participants.

SoI isn't just a summer experience—it's a strategic investment. According to the Department of Defense, only 11% of U.S. STEM graduates pursue defense-related careers, despite growing demand. Programs like SoI create vital early exposure, sparking interest in students who may one day lead aerospace, cyber, or defense R&D initiatives.

In fact:

• Students who participate in STEM programs like SoI are 2.5 times more likely to pursue STEM careers than those who don’t.

• A 2023 report from the National Science Board found that 73% of employers in advanced manufacturing and defense sectors cite a shortage of skilled workers as a barrier to growth.

• SoI’s early interventions—in areas like project-based learning, public speaking, and storytelling—mirror recommendations from the National Academies for improving workforce readiness across high-tech fields.

Mentors like Brian and Owen are living proof of that pipeline in action. “We’re able to provide these students with complementary skills that will help them be successful,” said Fors. “The students are incredibly smart, especially in their technical areas. But what makes the difference is their ability to present, collaborate, and adapt.”

By exposing students to companies like FC Industries, a local tool-and-die manufacturing firm, SoI connects theoretical classroom learning to applied solutions. “It creates opportunities to pivot from theory to application, which opens up the aperture on career pathways,” said Fors. “The goal is to keep that talent in the region.”

The passion is mutual. Mentors gain just as much from the experience as the students. Both Brian and Owen say that the enthusiasm and curiosity of the SoI participants reinvigorate their own approaches to engineering and leadership. Their hope? To pay it forward by inspiring more students to pursue impactful careers—and to stay and grow in Southwest Ohio.

The program concludes on July 17 at 9:00 am at WBI's 5000 Springfield Street location, with opening statements from the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium followed by student presentations.

Connect with Brian Yamada and Owen Fors on LinkedIn.

About Summer of Innovation:

The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE), Sinclair Community College, NextFlex, Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), and Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) have partnered to launch an expanded STEM Program for high school students interested in immersive STEM education, digital transformation, and defense technology innovation.

Running from June 9, 2025 to July 18, 2025, the program is based at WBI's 5000 Springfield Street location in Dayton, Ohio, and includes site visits to regional companies and universities throughout southwestern Ohio. This year, 16 high school interns representing the Greater Dayton areas will participate in hands-on programming that bridges technical skill-building and experiential education.