RWE students treated to visit from town engineer

Some of the state's top engineers made special visits to Wyoming elementary schools during National Engineers Week Feb. 18-24.

The University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) partnered with the Wyoming State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to create a free program that brings professional engineers into third-grade classrooms around the state to lead a one-hour, hands-on activity.

The activity is designed to inspire innovative thinking and design to young students to encourage participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

At Ralph Witters Elementary town engineer Anthony Barnett visited with students and helped them design "mint-mobiles," so named because breath mints were used for the vehicle wheels. Other materials used included plastic drinking straws, Popsicle sticks, index cards and tape. Ramps were also constructed to test the vehicles' speed and what modifications did to make them faster or slower.

In building the vehicles, the objectives were for students to learn and explain the steps of engineering design, and identify variables and controls.

"I am thrilled to kick off the third annual Engineers Week celebration," Teddi Freedman, CEAS senior project coordinator, said. "More than 3,200 third-grade students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and exploration with professional engineers from their community.

"This program brings together students, educators and professionals, and has the capacity to build a stronger sense of community around the state."