Murray » Some teens may be surprised to learn that such everyday amenities as shampoo, chairs and mouse pads are made possible by engineers. But Murray High School students are beginning to make that connection thanks to an interactive educational exhibit created by the University of Utah's engineering department.
On Nov. 12, the U. sent Jeff Bates, Ashley Paulsen-Cook and Brighton Pierce to Murray High to talk to students in math and science classes about the different fields of engineering, and to promote interest in higher education.
"This is all about taking kids' hobbies and then talking about how engineering has impacted that field," said Bates, outreach coordinator for the U. "The kids are like 'I didn't know that's how it worked,' or 'I didn't know I could do that.' "
The exhibit introduced students to a handful of disciplines and demonstrated how they affect products in the real world. One display had a full-suspension mountain sled showing how mechanical engineering is used to give it a smoother ride and softer jump landing. Another educated students about computer engineering through a motion-sensitive controller in an interactive graphic. Students could experience simulated buoyancy by pushing a rubber ducky in water.
Pierce, a senior at the U. majoring in chemical engineering, said he tries to explain the complex ideas in a way that the students can relate to. "When I was a high school student, I liked chemistry and math, but it's like, what does it do for me?" he said. "When I describe what I do and how it applies to stuff they know, like shampoo and the products they use to get ready in the morning, it's like a light bulb turns on. For me, [coming to high schools] is fun because I get to show kids options for their future."
Erin Spencer, 17, said she didn't know so many consumer products were influenced by engineering. "I think it's cool that you can tell how to improve workplace equipment and have it affect everyday life, like ergonomics [the science of designing equipment to better fit the worker]," she said.
Paulsen-Cook, U. outreach coordinator for the engineering department, said that while the exhibit is geared toward students who may already be interested in math and science, it also gives students more information about higher education in general. "The best thing is when a seemingly unmotivated student goes, 'Oh, cool!'" she said.
Andy Hokanson, math teacher at Murray High, said the experience allowed students in his concurrent enrollment algebra classes to get answers to questions about how curriculum applies outside the classroom. "I get asked all the time, 'Why are we learning about this?'" Hokanson said. "So any time you can see a real-world application, the students can see the reason to learn the math."
Joan Peterson, work based learning coordinator for Murray district, said the exhibit was a great opportunity for students to learn more about life after graduation.
"We need to be a better bridge between high school and college to make it easier for students to think about schools, scholarships and careers," she said.
