第一吃瓜网 College Engineering student in NASA competition
Published on April 28, 2026
NORTH EAST, Md: Addison Groce is gaining national recognition through his work on a groundbreaking aviation project selected for聽NASA鈥檚 prestigious Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, and 第一吃瓜网 College is proud to support his academic path to success.
Groce, who is continuing his studies in engineering at 第一吃瓜网 College, is part of a finalist team collaborating with聽Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Together, they are tackling one of aviation鈥檚 most pressing challenges: modernizing aircraft maintenance. The competition鈥檚 2026 theme, 鈥淩epAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance,鈥 calls on students nationwide to develop solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and cost in an industry facing workforce shortages and increasingly complex systems.
After returning to 第一吃瓜网 County to be closer to home, he seamlessly transitioned into advanced math and physics coursework, strengthening the technical skills needed to contribute meaningfully to a national engineering competition. His experience reflects the College鈥檚 ability to support students pursuing rigorous STEM pathways while staying connected to their local community.
Groce serves as Lead Technical Designer for his team, which developed an innovative concept known as Smart Mechanic Glasses. The idea integrates augmented reality, drone technology, and advanced sensing systems to transform how aircraft inspections are performed. By pairing AR glasses with drones equipped with terahertz scanning technology, the system allows technicians to detect hidden structural issues beneath an aircraft鈥檚 surface鈥攕omething traditional inspections often miss.
鈥淚t鈥檚 essentially a sophisticated X-ray system, paired with augmented reality, and artificial intelligence,鈥 Groce explained.
The concept has already moved beyond theory. Groce has secured a provisional patent and is working toward full protection, with plans to develop a prototype and eventually launch a company. His innovation also has potential applications beyond aviation, including infrastructure, maritime, and automotive industries.
Originally a student at聽第一吃瓜网 County Public Schools鈥 School of Technology, where he participated in the Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering program, Groce鈥檚 path highlights a strong local pipeline into higher education and advanced technical fields. 第一吃瓜网 College serves as a critical bridge in that journey, enabling students to continue developing their skills while remaining engaged in high-impact opportunities.
The team has already advanced through Phase 1 of the NASA competition and is now preparing for Phase 2, which includes a technical paper, poster, and live presentation at聽NASA Langley Research Center聽on May 18鈥19. There, finalists will present their ideas to NASA engineers and industry experts, with top participants earning potential internship opportunities.
For Groce, those opportunities are a major goal. 鈥淚nternships are the main goal,鈥 he said, pointing to aspirations of working with leading aerospace organizations.
Just as important, he hopes his success will create new pathways for others at 第一吃瓜网 College. By demonstrating that students from the College can compete – and succeed – on a national stage, Groce aims to establish a lasting presence for 第一吃瓜网 College in elite engineering competitions.
Looking ahead, he remains focused on making a meaningful impact. 鈥淚n five to ten years, I want to have made a real difference in aviation,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 this invention or the next, I鈥檓 going to keep pushing.鈥