STEM Club Gains Exposure to Engineering

Engineers have innumerable applications and disciplines that make them productive in society in different ways.

Civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and computer scientists alike gathered at the University of Idaho’s 22nd annual Engineering Design EXPO on May 1.

The northwest’s longest running student engineering showcase was the perfect opportunity for LRHS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) club members to increase their awareness of applications in engineering, see the different occupations available in engineering fields and experience a portion of life on a Division One college campus.

Along with attending the EXPO, students were able to participate in an interactive tour of the engineering and science departments at the University of Idaho, furthering their passion for STEM.

University of Idaho’s Engineering Design EXPO is a presentation of engineering research projects put together by groups of engineering students at the university.

Larry Stauffer, Dean of University of Idaho’s College of Engineering, wrote, “Our capstone design experience is the highlight of our engineering program… Students work in teams, learn about the design process, and are provided an opportunity to apply their entire college education towards an industry sponsored project.”

With project topics ranging from “Robosub—Naval Undersea Warfare Center” to “CNC Laser Cutter” and “SMART Rehabilitation Robot”, the EXPO was the ideal opportunity for STEM club members to realize the potential of engineering.

Jason Aldrich, STEM club advisor, said, “[The EXPO] is part of our STEM awareness campaign and the U of I Engineering Design EXPO has been going on for a long time. It’s just another way to get kids exposed to engineering challenges that college kids are working on right now and the real life applications the projects have. It gives STEM authenticity and validity; it gives kids something to look at and think about that’s real.”

Aldrich continued, “I enjoyed the walking tour of the projects, getting to talk to all of the kids involved… I wanted to hear about what inspired them to participate in their projects and what they learned, really quizzing them about it hear their passion for their careers.”

The EXPO and the tour of University of Idaho’s engineering and science departments was an enjoyable learning experience for the STEM club members.

Nathan Naught, STEM club member and participant on the trip, explained that he learned “that infrared can create a very potent laser beam that can cut through thin metal or a two by four

. There are many fields of engineering, and not all of them have to with engineering physical things...”

MicKayla Hall said she enjoyed learning about autopilot drones and how engineers use 3D models. Her favorite part of the day was when the University of Idaho student volunteers exploded balloons by heating salts inside them during the tour of the science department.

Emily Rosen added, “I learned about new technology for helping people get motion back after a stroke. Engineering is a lot of work. There are a lot of types and areas of engineering and you need to really, fully apply yourself and your ideas [to be successful].”

Sara Aldrich said of the day overall, “I was impressed by the ingenuity of the different kinds of engineering working together to create things that they wouldn’t have been able to create alone.”

Engineering is an essential part of STEM, one that students of LRHS have a greater appreciation for after attending the University of Idaho’s Engineering Design EXPO.