Grossmont Center Inspires Future Engineers
Late in February, Grossmont Shopping Center played host to hundreds of youngsters looking to explore a future in engineering. Sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Member Forum (ASCE YMF), Engineering Day at the Mall did a great job of bringing youth into National Engineers Week.
Around 60 volunteers from ASCE student chapters and various private and public sector engineering organizations came together to spark kids’ interest in engineering and science. With a budget of only $800 for everything from activities to tables and snacks for the volunteers, the group put together 11 activities to engage imaginations and creativity while teaching basic engineering concepts like buoyancy, liquefaction, air lift and more.
The University of California, San Diego put together the K’nex shake table activity, from its laboratory for seismic exploration. A local Geotechnical company brought in a shake table for liquefaction and soil testing, and a city agency lent an Enviroscape model to show storm water and runoff pollution.
Along with those larger demonstrations and activities, kids had the chance to try out engineering concepts with tastier activities like Gum Drop Domes, Edible Bridges and even Ice Cream Making. The young participants responded with creativity, enthusiasm and even awe, and with any luck some will wind up as future leaders in the field of engineering.
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Deborah Gostin
