The future engineers of America gathered at the University of Utah’s College of Engineering campus in June to learn what it’s like to save lives, satisfy a chocolate craving and erect new buildings from the ground up.
Forty-four high school students from Utah, California, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho and even Florida were on hand June 21 through 23 to participate in the annual Exploring Engineering Summer Camp, three days of activities that teach teens the importance of engineering concepts.
The days involved a bevy of activities, demonstrations, and lab tours. Hands-on activities included a simulation of what it’s like to unclog a human artery, a lesson in binary code in computer programming, making tempered chocolate that breaks more easily, and shooting rockets designed and built by the students. And for the first time, students broke into teams and each built a structure with boards and plywood. One team constructed a walk-in lemonade stand while the other built a mini-house. The activity was a demonstration of the useful scientific concepts behind civil engineering.
“It’s the first time we’ve built these mini-houses, and I’m sure we’ll do it again. They had so much fun,” said College of Engineering Academic Coordinator Morgan Boyack, who organized the event.
Click below to see photos of the event.
