In January 1990, my daughter’s first-grade teacher asked if I would speak to the class about engineering. How does one talk to first graders when their parents have little understanding of engineering? I soon realized that lecturing to children could be difficult if not impossible. Visual presentations of engineering concepts was needed, so I constructed a few primitive models of buildings and bridges to show how they function. It was successful and I had the interest of the class. I returned to the school several times, though I preferred speaking to fourth- through sixth-grade students because they had learned basic math, including multiplication.
That began my 30-plus years of reaching out to children/students.
I had a few friends in the teaching profession and they asked if I would address their classes. My outreach efforts started to garner interest. In 1991, I returned to my own grade school in Chicago to discuss engineering.
Coincidentally, I learned about the Chicago Engineers Week program of the Illinois Institute of Technology. I offered an exhibit of structural engineering concepts. For over 30-plus years I have been a key exhibitor at the annual IIT STEM EXPO.
By 1993-94, my fellow engineers learned of my exploits in reaching out to children/students discussing how Chicago buildings stand tall. The Chicago architectural firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill received an inquiry from the BBC (London) to discuss the engineering of SEARS (now Willis) Tower and other skyscrapers for a television program: “HOW DOES IT WORK”. The engineer at SOM offered my name as a contact to explain basic engineering concepts. It proved successful and I was filmed using my building models of the John Hancock Center and Sears (Willis) Tower.
I started looking for other opportunities to discuss engineering. I presented a workshop to Chicago teachers hosted by the Math/Science Department of Columbia College.
Taking off time to talk to students during the day proved challenging so I looked for various programs to reach children/students on weekends.
Over the years, I have exhibited at STEM Fairs in Des Plaines, Skokie and Palatine Public Libraries.
In addition, the Museum of Science and Industry offers a Science-Engineering Career Day. I participated in several of the programs. The biggest of these efforts was the huge 2008-09 year-long SCIENCE CHICAGO program.
More recently the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team has hosted a special STEM DAY before the game. I have been an exhibitor at two of these events.
Other engineers have now joined me in these programs where we discuss structural engineering to children.
I have also made several appearances on cable TV where I discuss engineering, the various programs and competitions.
What has been the impact of my efforts? It is hard to assess but this may be an indicator: In 2018, at an Engineer Week Banquet, a young engineer approached me saying he knew my daughter. I asked his name and if he recalled when I spoke at their school about engineering. “Yes,” he said. “I recall your lecture and your models and, because of you, I decided to pursue an engineering career.”
I often wonder how many children, students I sparked a curiosity in engineering and our built environment within.
For the time-being, COVID has suspended my in-person activities.
However I decided to record some of my demonstrations via a YouTube Channel.
Once COVID resolves and the various STEM programs resume, I look forward to offering more demonstrations of structural engineering and helping more students potentially pursue a career within this great profession.
Follow me on Twitter for more about my outreach to students.